This large, highly collaborative commissioned three-year programme led by Professor Paul Crawford co-created 5 new short animations with Academy Award winning Aardman (Shaun the Sheep etc.) to support upstream mental health literacy among young people. Reaching over 17 million in the first few months of launch, this campaign which included animations and supporting website won Best Social Media and Content at the 2021 Design Week Awards 2021 and achieved Finalist, Best Health Cause Campaign in the Purpose Awards.
Our research showed that knowledge, attitudes, confidence, and willingness to seek support among young people improved at post-test. There were also significant reductions in mental health stigma following viewing of the animations.
This project, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, marks a move to develop closer working between young people, researchers and the creative industry to advance public mental health.
Find out more about this project at UKRI and our digital showcase hosted by partner Mental Health Foundation: https://stories.mentalhealth.org.uk/whats-up-with-everyone/index.html
Also, read how Aardman reported transformative impact of the project on the company itself: https://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/newsroom/2023/02/14/the-transformative-power-of-animations-for-youth-mental-health/
The transformative power of animations for youth mental health, 12 February. https://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/newsroom/2023/02/14/the-transformative-power-of-animations-for-youth-mental-health/
