Leicester College learners challenge attitudes to mental health
16/09/2010
Learners from Leicester College are helping to break down barriers with a range of posters they have designed which challenge attitudes in society to mental health as part of an innovative competition run by election management company, Popularis.
The striking posters caught the eye of an employee at BT, who asked for them to be displayed at an exhibition in their call centre in South Albion Street in Leicester.
Fifteen second year learners from the College´s BTEC National Diploma in Graphic Design course took part in the competition focusing on issues surrounding the attitudes towards mental health in society.
As well as at the BT call centre, the posters will be displayed throughout the UK in schools, work places, leisure centres and other public places.
Anne Hock, Managing Director of Popularis said she was delighted with the response to the posters designed by Leicester College learners. She said:
“We have been working with Leicester College for five years to create and promote simple effective messages to combat discrimination. This is a great way to make staff aware of mental health issues, particularly due to stress in the workplace.
Many people suffer from stress and do not ask for help due to the stigma attached. The idea of the posters is that they develop discussion and I hope this will be fruitful for the future.”
“The posters needed to explain how attitudes need to change and make a real impact, and they were so different and clear, it is a real compliment to the staff and learners. I am over the moon. I hope we can do more work with the College in the future.”
Kate Drew, Graphic Design lecturer at Leicester College said: “Each year, we run poster competitions and corporate literature design exercises where learners get to see their designs used in the public arena. These competitions give learners a taste of the business side of the industry, where they get experience of dealing with clients and producing work to a set brief.”