News Release, 1 December 2006
People recovering from mental health problems are often excluded from society and denied the right to make decisions that affect their lives. To strengthen the voice of mental health service users, a new national organisation called Voices Of eXperience (VOX) is to launch in Scotland.
Funded by the Scottish Executive, VOX will bring people recovering from mental health problems together and support them to use their experiences to influence policy and practice, facilitate partnership working with services and strengthen the voice of people who have had mental health problems in Scotland.
The Mental Health Foundation are currently supporting the development of VOX and Isabella Goldie, Head of Scotland, MHF said:
“We have been delighted to support this long awaited development, as we need to get to a point in Scotland where those who have real experience of the stigma and exclusion which comes hand in hand with living with mental health problems, are in a position to help shape services which really do make a difference and enable people to take up their rightful role in society.”
Lewis Macdonald, Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care, said:
“ We are delighted to fund VOX to provide a credible national voice for users, past and present, of mental health services in Scotland. We will continue to work with VOX to deliver their ambition to help as many people as possible to contribute to the design and development of mental health services, care and policy in Scotland. This is entirely in line with the key role for service users set out in our national plan ‘Delivering for Mental Health’, which I was delighted to launch. “
Shaun McNeil, Interim Secretary of VOX said:
“It has taken some time, but we are delighted to have staff in place and to be in a position to launch this national organisation run by, and dedicated to, enhancing the inclusion, and strengthening the collective voice of, people with experience of mental health problems”.
If you have used or still use mental health services in Scotland and would like to have your say, go along to VOX’s launch day and AGM on Monday 11th December at the Scottish Youth Theatre, Old Sheriff Court, 105 Brunswick Street, Glasgow. Open from 10.30am until 4.00pm and entry is free. Lunch and music will also be provided.
For more information about the event please contact Lindsay or Theresa at VOX on 0141 572 1663, or Marsha or Liz at the Mental Health Foundation on 0141 572 0125.
Ends
Return to news releases 2006
Notes to editors
For further information please contact the Press Office on 020 7803 1128 / 1130 or email the press office
The Mental Health Foundation uses research and practical projects to help people survive, recover from and prevent mental health problems. We work to influence policy, including government at the highest levels. And we use our knowledge to raise awareness and to help tackle the stigma attached to mental illness. We reach millions of people every year through our media work, information booklets and online services.
Voices Of eXperience is hosted by the Mental Health Foundation (Scotland) and is currently funded by the Scottish Executive Mental Health Division.
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