Green street lighting switched on in Wolverhamptonn for mental health campaign

Wolverhampton Council decided to switch the colour of its street lights in support of the 'This is Me' initiative.

The UK-wide campaign, which launched across the West Midlands on Monday, aims to combat mental health stigmas in the workplace.

Councillor Hazel Malcolm, the council's cabinet member for public health and wellbeing, said: "By supporting the This is Me campaign, we are making a further commitment to raise awareness of – and challenge the stigma and discrimination around – mental health problems.

"Looking after the mental health of employees makes business sense because tackling stigma can make a real difference to sickness absence rates and staff retention, wellbeing and productivity.

“It's a win-win for everyone, and I would encourage other employers in Wolverhampton, large and small, to join us in supporting the campaign.”

The West Midlands Combined Authority united businesses and councils for the regional launch of the campaign on Monday.

It came on Blue Monday, which is claimed to be one of the most depressing days of the year.

Organisations were encouraged to 'turn Blue Monday green' so street lighting in Dudley Street switched colours.

Lighting in Deanery Place, Wulfruna Street and within the atrium of the Civic Centre also turned green.

The council’s managing director Tim Johnson said: “The health and wellbeing of our employees is a key priority for the council, and we are very happy to support the This is Me campaign.

"It reinforces the positive message of the Time To Change pledge which we made last month to support mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.”

The campaign supports employers to encourage conversations about mental health within the workplace to combat stigma.

It supports one of the key aims of the Time to Change Employer Pledge, which the council signed up to last month.