News

Our landmark mental health campaign, Britain Get Talking, returned on the 21st March following Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway. The new campaign focuses on bringing messages of support and love to the screen at a time when we have never needed it more and reminding us that talking is so important right now. We are apart, but never alone.

In light of the numerous challenges posed by the Coronavirus crisis, Britain has never needed to connect more, and ITV has once again joined forces with YoungMinds and Mind to urge the public to support one another and ultimately, to keep talking.

Just hearing someone’s voice has been shown to reduce stress levels. With more of us stuck at home than ever before, speaking to our loved ones is vitally important for all of our mental wellbeing.

The award-winning mental wellness initiative was reintroduced to viewers by Ant and Dec in a special message broadcast on Saturday, as they encouraged viewers to reach out to those who need it most. Heartfelt messages from famous faces including Davina McCall, Alex Beresford and soap stars Lisa Riley, Ali Mardell, Sam Aston, Ryan Prescott, Chris Bisson, Dolly Rose Campbell and Michelle Hardwick, will help launch the idea and play out across the network and on social media throughout this week. On Sunday 22nd March Susanna Reid and Gordon Ramsey sent wishes to all mothers, including their own.

In the campaign, developed by Uncommon Creative Studio, viewers are also being encouraged to pick up the phone and share their messages of love and support across social media, using the hashtag #BritainGetTalking and tagging @itv.

A selection of these moving messages will then be played on ITV every day for the next month in an effort to keep spirits high across the country placing people amongst programming throughout the next few weeks in a first.

The campaign website, itv.com/BritainGetTalking also hosts information on sources of support for viewers who can’t rely on family and friends. Britain Get Talking originally launched in October 2019 as part of our wider Better Health priorities to encourage 10 million people to take action and improve their mental or physical health over the next 5 years. As a result of the 2019 campaign, which was also supported by Mind and YoungMinds, 2.8 million people started a conversation or had a more meaningful conversation with family and friends.

Physical isolation doesn’t have to mean social isolation. Britain has never needed to connect more, and through Britain Get Talking we want to use ITV to help people feel good, talk more and establish a feeling of unity through these challenging and unprecedented times. Hearing someone’s voice is a proven means of decreasing anxiety and stress so we want to encourage more talking and more connecting. Clare Phillips, ITV  Director of Social Purpose

The next few weeks are going to be a challenging time for millions of people across the country, and it’s really important that we keep supporting each other and reaching out to those who might be struggling to cope. Even if we can’t see friends and family face to face, it makes a huge difference speaking over the phone, on video calls or through messaging – and it’s also crucial that we look out for neighbours who are on their own or living in difficult circumstances. We’re really pleased to be part of Britain Get Talking, encouraging people to keep connecting to each other and talking about how they’re feeling. Emma Thomas, Chief Executive of YoungMinds

We are currently facing the biggest challenge to the nation’s mental wellbeing for a very long time. Reaching out is going to be a critical part of getting through the coming weeks and will go a long way in helping keep our spirits up. We are pleased to be part of ITV’s campaign and encourage everyone to do what they can to connect with others and show extra support for those doing the difficult job of keeping us safe and well. Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind