BBC Children In Need Removes Mascot’s Bandana To Spotlight Mental Health
In commemoration of Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK, BBC Children In Need has given its mascot—Pudsey—a makeover, by removing the iconic character’s bandana. Titled Behind The Bandana, the campaign hopes to spotlight challenges young people face that aren’t visible.
According to the charity, the recent years have seen an unprecedented rise in the number of children suffering from mental health problems. Factors such as COVID-19 and the cost-of-living crisis have heightened anxiety and depression among all of us.
In fact, within the last three years, the likelihood of a young person having mental health issues rose by a jaw-dropping 50%, while a startling 75% of children and adolescents who are struggling with these challenges aren’t receiving the help they need.
This #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, Pudsey’s temporarily removed his bandana.
— BBC Children in Need (@BBCCiN) May 15, 2023
Our 'Behind the Bandana' campaign is there to show that mental health issues are often less visible and to encourage conversations that can help.
Head here for tips and tools 👉 https://t.co/rn3c3aamsF pic.twitter.com/KuMGDzAs3f
As such, it’s imperative that more conversations around the topic happen. A new survey conducted by the organization showed that over a quarter of participants revealed they had not talked to a trusted confidant about their mental health problems in the last six months.
As per Famous Campaigns, BBC Children In Need Chief Simon Antrobus explained that by recognizing that signs of anxiety and depression may be hidden, early conversations “delivered with kindness and empathy” could help prevent such issues from worsening.
“Pudsey’s removed his bandana to show that some issues aren’t visible on the outside. But conversations can help keep a child’s mental health on track,” reminded the campaign. Head here for more tips and tools on how to help.
It’s #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek and the JCDecaux Community Channel is proud to be supporting BBC Children in Need with its important messaging as mental health issues can be harder to see https://t.co/5C85Px6EAR #Pudsey #OOH @BBCCiN pic.twitter.com/O3MSFD41Tp
— JCDecauxUK (@JCDecaux_UK) May 15, 2023
[via Famous Campaigns and NewsChain, cover image via BBC Children In Need]
