Funding of £4.5 million is being invested in encouraging more Scots to talk openly about mental health in a bid to end stigma surrounding mental illness.
Building on the See Me campaign, we will deliver in partnership with SAMH (The Scottish Association for Mental Health) an innovative programme of awareness raising and local activities that challenges the discrimination associated with mental ill-health.
The programme, supported by a joint investment of £4.5 million from the Scottish Government and Comic Relief, will be delivered over three years.
Michael Matheson said:
“In Scotland we are proud of what we have already achieved in ensuring people receive effective, quality care and treatment, more quickly than ever before to help them recover.
“We believe it is unacceptable for people with mental health problems to be faced with discrimination. That is why we are committed to building on the work of our high profile See Me campaign to end all forms of mental health discrimination in Scotland. We must ensure that nobody is unwilling to seek help due to stigma, or fear of stigma, around mental health.
“This project, led by SAMH and MHF, will work towards making our goal a reality by tackling mental health stigma and helping more Scots feel to be open about their mental health - making it as easy as possible for people to access the support they need.”
Gilly Green, Comic Relief’s Head of UK Grants, said:
“We are delighted to be supporting SAMH and MHF to take forward the great work that See Me has built up in Scotland. Through the new programme, we can work towards breaking down one of the last forms of discrimination still faced daily by people all over Scotland and the rest of the UK.”
Billy Watson, Chief Executive, SAMH, said:
“Every year one in four people in Scotland will experience a mental health problem and it is imperative that we work towards eliminating the stigma and discrimination that currently exists.
“We are delighted to be working with MHF to deliver this new national programme. We will build on the legacy of the See Me awareness-raising campaign; we will now focus on transforming behaviour; we will directly involve people affected by stigma and discrimination and bring about positive and long-lasting change in Scotland.”
Isabella Goldie, head of Scotland, MHF, said:
“In funding this vital programme the Scottish Government and Comic Relief recognise that mental health stigma is a major human rights issue that should concern us all.
“Most of us have trouble coping at times, and mental health problems are common enough that most of us will know somebody who has been affected in some way. However, feelings of shame can prevent people from seeking help and discrimination can greatly limit opportunities in employment, education and even to good quality health care.
“Many people experiencing mental health problems find that they are avoided by those closest to them and most able to help – their family and friends - and as a result can face their difficulties alone.
“We are therefore delighted to have an opportunity to work in partnership with SAMH and alongside a whole range of community organisations to help create a fairer and more inclusive society in Scotland.”
Supporting the announcement of the new anti-stigma campaign is 21 year old Lynsey Pattie from Motherwell who was diagnosed with depression at the age of 15 and schizophrenia at the age of 18.
Lynsey said:
“I’ve experienced mental health problems for most of my life and was hospitalised for 10 months, so I know how it feels to deal with the stigma of mental ill-health.
“I’ve lost friends and have felt alienated by people who don’t understand that, despite my illness, I’m still the same person.
“I know first-hand that with the right facts and information, the stigma of mental ill-health can be reduced, which is why this new campaign is crucially important for the one in four Scots living with mental health problems.”
For the past year, Lynsey has volunteered with SAMH to support their work and raise awareness of mental health.
The new programme will help communities to find local approaches to reducing mental health stigma and discrimination. It will target places where the greatest impact can be achieved, including the workplace, education, health and social care settings. It will aim to ensure that having a mental health problem is no longer viewed as something that should be hidden and that people who experience mental health problems feel empowered and confident to talk about the issue without facing discrimination.