A campaign to help people to talk about mental health and to end discrimination has received a further £1.4 million to extend the programme by three years.

Time to Change Wales, delivered in partnership with Mind Cymru and Adferiad Recovery, aims to challenge and change negative attitudes and behaviours towards mental ill health.

Funding has been issued by the Welsh Government and the programme concentrates on four key areas: partnerships; employers and the workplace; health and social care; and social marketing.

The new phase of work will have particular focus on working with Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities and employers in areas of poverty and deprivation.

Lynne Neagle, deputy minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, said: "I am pleased we are able to provide further funding to help extend Time to Change Wales. The project is helping to end discrimination and encouraging people to have open and honest conversations about mental health.

"The four strands that Time to Change Wales supports provide great opportunities to share best practice across many parts of our daily life.

"We know that the pandemic has had a disproportionate effect on those from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities and I am pleased Time to Change Wales will focus on working with communities utilising this new funding."

Previously, the campaign has focused on increasing engagement with men through the 'Talking Is A Lifeline' campaign and increasing the number of Welsh speakers involved.

The new funding will also see the roll out of a new and innovative learning module for health and social care staff specifically focusing on tackling mental health stigma and improving patients' experiences.

Time to Change Wales will also continue to recruit champions who have experience of mental ill health. To date, there are more than 50 champions across Wales.

Vaughn Gething, minister for Economy, added: "Good mental health is absolutely vital in order for people to live healthy, happy and fulfilling lives. The Welsh Government is fully committed to tackling the unacceptable stigma and discrimination faced by people suffering from mental ill-health.

"While we've made good progress, there is still more work to be done so that we create the healthier, fairer and more prosperous Wales we all want to see. Time to Change Wales is crucial in our efforts to help us to achieve that ambition."

Around one in four Welsh workforces have pledged their support to the campaign already, representing around 320,000 employees. Organisations signed up include SMEs, all local health boards, third sector organisations, all four police forces, and private companies.

Click here to find out more about Time for Change Wales.