SANE Black Dog Campaign

The Black Dog Campaign reduces the stigma surrounding mental illness and encourages people to seek help early, rather than suffering in silence.

The campaign aims to:

• reduce stigma, prejudice and exclusion
• encourage more people to seek help
• educate members of the public - #StopStigma Take mental health into schools, colleges and the workplace
• change perceptions of mental illness
• demonstrate the importance of research
• involve young people in mental health
• change attitudes of future generations

The Black Dog has been used from classical mythology through medieval folklore to modern times as a universal metaphor for depression.

Sir Winston Churchill talked about his 'black dog', as had Samuel Johnson and the Roman poet Horace.

We have chosen the Black Dog to symbolise how powerful, dominating and unpredictable mental illness can be. To bring the campaign to life we have designed visually striking statues.

The Black Dogs are a physical symbol to externalise moods and thoughts that can be hard to communicate.

The statues will help people to:

• define their experience of the 'invisible' condition that is mental illness
• find a new language to express difficult inner feelings like anxiety, depression and loneliness
• discuss mental illness more openly to promote a greater understanding and acceptance

Black Dog Tribe

Black Dog Tribe is a dedicated social networking community for mental health.

It is a compassionate place and all-round social hub, founded by Tribal Mother Ruby Wax and run by  SANE, where you can connect with like-minded people and share your stories.

Black Dog Tribe is founded on the belief that by talking more openly about mental illness, we can help one another, stop stigma and raise awareness.

Our motto is: the more people we get talking, the more we will be heard.

You can find out more and register to join SANE and access Black Dog Tribe's exclusive content.

Sane: St Mark's Studios
14 Chillingworth Road
Islington
London
N7 8QJ