‘see me’, Scotland’s national campaign to end the stigma and discrimination of mental ill-health, is organising a number of local/regional photo exhibitions in collaboration with the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival. These exhibitions will be hosted by our local partner organisations during Scottish Mental Health Week 6-12 October 2008. Three winning photos from each local exhibition will be selected for the national exhibition hosted by ‘see me’ on its website in November 2008.

How can you take part in this?

You will need to take photos over the next month and a half, and send your favourites to one of the local organisations who will be hosting an exhibition. A list of these organisations will be posted on the ‘see me’ website during August 2008. We will also promote the exhibition through posters, each showing contact details for the nearest local hosting organisation..

What kind of photos are we looking for?

There are two categories for the photos:

1. “Mentally Positive” – this incorporates aspects like positive mental well-being; recovery; things that people do to keep mentally healthy.

2. “Through Thick and Thin” – this concentrates on the support that people who experience mental health problems receive from their friends, family and colleagues. Ideally the photos would be about both the person with experience of mental health problems and their supporter(s).

How are the winners selected?

Local: Each local hosting organisation can send ‘see me’ three winning photos; one winner from each of the categories above. In addition, the public visiting the local photo exhibitions should be encouraged to vote for their favourite, and the photo that receives most votes (regardless of the category) will be selected as the third winning photo. If the public’s choice is the same as the organisation’s choice for the winner of one of the two categories, then the second highest public vote winner is selected. If this is the same photo as the organisation’s choice for the other category winner, then the third highest public vote winner will be selected.

National: The national winners for each of the two categories will be selected by a judging panel. The public will be encouraged to visit ‘see me’s website and vote for their favourite photo, with the photo that receives most votes being selected as the third winning photo for the national final. If the public’s choice is the same as the panel’s choice, the same selection procedure is followed as for the local exhibitions.

Prizes

Local exhibitions: Each of the three winners for each of the local exhibitions will receive a £50 Jessops voucher (valid in-store and by mail order).

National final: Each of the three winners will receive “A Day with a Photographer” (one day photography guidance/tutorial from a professional photographer).

General Submission Guidelines

1. One person can submit one photo for each category.

2. A submission form must be completed and enclosed with each photo submitted.

3. Photos must be submitted in the printed format.

4. The minimum size for the photos is 5 x 7 inches; the maximum 12 x 16 ½ inches. In order for the photos to be considered for the national final, they will also need to be available in a digital format (e.g. JPEG).

5. Insurance is the responsibility of the photographer. We do not accept any responsibility for damaged or lost photos.

6. All submitted work must be original, and the person(s) on the submission form must own all distribution rights to the photo.

7. There should be enclosed information with the photo, as requested in the submission form, which clearly explains: who has taken the photo; where it was taken; and a brief description of its significance to the photographer. This information will be made available as part of the exhibition.

8. We welcome submissions from anyone who resides in Scotland.

9. All submitted photos will be shown during the exhibition. In the event that there are more photos than can be exhibited at any one time, photos will be rotated during the exhibition. We reserve the right not to exhibit photos that are deemed offensive or inappropriate.

Delivery and return of the photos

10. The photos must be received by Tuesday 23rdSeptember 2008.

11. The photos should be sent to one of the local partner organisations who are hosting an exhibition, and be clearly marked ‘PHOTO COMPETITION’. Contact details can be found in the local photo competition posters, or accessed via ‘see me’ website.

12. We are unable to return the submitted photos, unless a return address and stamped addressed envelope are provided. We cannot take responsibility for any damaged or lost photos.

Selection

13. Each local selection panel will comprise at least five people from the local hosting organisation or their chosen representatives. The decisions of the selectors are final and no correspondence will be entered into.

14. The photographers will be notified if their work has been selected for the national final by Friday 17th October 2008.

Conditions

15. All pictures submitted must have full authorisation for display from all people identifiable within the photo, paid or unpaid. It is also the responsibility of the photographer to ensure that these consent forms and clearance are in place and valid prior to submission. By signing the submission form, the photographer(s) agree that they have obtained these.

16. Copyright of the photos is retained by the photographer, but we reserve the right to use the winning photos for promotional and informational purposes. Where this is undertaken by ‘see me’, full credits to the photographer will be published.

For further Information, please contact:
Johannes Parkkonen or Fiona Tannock at ‘see me’ campaign
Email: johannes.parkkonen@seemescotland.org or fiona.tannock@seemescotland.org
Phone: 0131 624 8945
Website: www.seemescotland.org
For further information about the Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival, visit: www.mhfestival.com

Print Entry Guidelines (PDF)

Print Entry Form (PDF)

Another six Ayrshire and Arran based companies signed the ‘see me’ Anti-stigma Pledge on 17 June 2008 and joined the local initiative to combat the stigma that surrounds mental health problems.

With a total of 17 organisations in the area now working to reduce the stigma of mental health problems, Ayrshire and Arran is a leading example for the rest of the country.

‘see me’, the national anti-stigma campaign, aims to make people ‘see the person and not the label’. The Anti-stigma Pledge, launched in response to mounting local support for the national campaign, enables organisations to make a formal commitment to work with ‘see me’ to eliminate stigma in their organisations or areas.

Representatives from each organisation including, ANCHO in Irvine, which is the first Registered Social Landlord to sign the pledge, the University of the West of Scotland, UPM Kymmene Caledonian Paper in Irvine, James Hamilton Academy in Kilmarnock, Auchinleck Academy in Auchinleck and Volunteer Centre South Aryshire, were joined by, Suzie Vestri, Acting Campaign Director from ‘see me’ at an official signing ceremony at the Ayrshire Management Centre in Ayr.

Commenting on the significance of today’s ‘see me’ pledge signing, Suzie Vestri, Acting Campaign Director at ‘see me’ said, “Stigma does not just affect those experiencing mental health problems but also their friends and family. Everyone can play their part in reducing stigma and the damage it causes, and it is essential we get this message out to communities across Scotland. Ayrshire and Arran’s continued support and dedication is certainly making this happen.”

Elsewhere, on the 25th of June, Central College, Glasgow signed the ‘see me’ Pledge at a ceremony held at The Glen Allan Campus. The college has committed to a wide-range of activities over the coming year, including promoting the anti-stigma message to both staff and students. In particular, the College will include the ‘see me’ message on staff payslips, display materials throughout the college and highlight the Pledge signing within an article to be published in the Scottish Further Education Unit magazine ‘Broadcast’, that has a readership of 22,000

'see me' is Scotland's national campaign to end the stigma and discrimination related to mental ill-health. We have a pool of volunteers who speak out about their experience of stigma and discrimination, as well as experiences of positive support and recovery.

We're currently looking for pairs of volunteers to help promote our new campaign in September.

We'd like to hear from you if you have experienced mental ill-health and have a story to tell about the importance of support from friends and family. We'd also need to be able to hear from someone who has provided support when it was needed - whether as a family member or a friend.

You will both receive training to prepare you for being interviewed by the media, as well as ongoing support before, during and after all media work.

For an informal chat about whether this opportunity may be right for you, please contact 'see me' on 0131 624 8945 or email info@seemescotland.org

National social care charity Turning Point Scotland signed the ‘see me’ Pledge on 2 June in a bid to support the campaign against stigma towards people with mental health issues in Scotland.

By signing the anti-stigma Pledge, Turning Point Scotland have demonstrated their commitment to work with ‘see me’’ in tackling the stigma and discrimination experienced by people with mental health issues.

‘see me’, aims to break down the stigma around mental health. By pledging their support for the campaign, Turning Point Scotland joins the nationwide ‘see me’ campaign. Suzie Vestri, acting Campaign Director of ‘see me’ conducted the official signing ceremony at Turning Point Scotland’s annual staff conference with 100 in attendance.

Commenting on the significance of the ‘see me’ Pledge signing, Suzie Vestri said:

“Taking a stand against stigma and discrimination changes lives. You cannot underestimate the value of promoting tolerance and understanding; it enables people, who may otherwise be too afraid, to seek the help and support they need, to stay at work and in contact with their friends and families. In addition, Turning Point Scotland’s presence across many communities in Scotland means that they are well placed to spread the anti-stigma message widely” Wendy Spencer, Senior Operations Manager of Turning Point Scotland said:

“Most people with mental health issues can and do recover and go on to lead fulfilling lives. However, we know that negative attitudes make people’s problems worse and hinder recovery. “As a charity which supports individuals with mental health issues we realise the importance of ensuring that we operate in an anti-stigma environment. By signing the pledge we are not only making a commitment to the campaign, but also to staff and ultimately service users.”

Following the Pledge signing, each of Turning Point Scotland’s forty services will receive the campaign’s media material to emphasise the importance of Pledge signing. It is hoped that this will take forward the message across the charity’s Scotland wide base.

News Item

The HandsOnScotland website is one year old on 6 June 2008. Over the past year there have been over 20,000 visitors to the site.

The website was commissioned by the Scottish Government through Heads up Scotland and was developed by Playfield Institute (NHS Fife) in partnership with Barnardo's and the University of Dundee. It was developed to help frontline workers, such as teachers, nurses, social workers, and foster carers, to improve the mental health of children and young people.

It is a one-stop shop for practical information and techniques on how to respond helpfully to children and young people's troubling behaviour, build up their self-esteem and promote their positive mental wellbeing.

The website contains 48 topics within 14 sections that cover a wide range of mental health issues ranging from abuse to sleeping difficulties. There are also 25 sets of videos from specialists giving tips and advice. The site is continually evolving: each section has a feedback form, and comments from these forms have resulted in the website team adding or changing information and advice.

A post-launch evaluation involving over 60 workers has been completed. Overall, the feedback was positive, and all workers in the study reported that they would use the website again in the future as well as recommend it to others. The evaluation also showed that over 2-3 months of using the website, the workers increased their understanding of troubling behaviours and their confidence increased. They also reported feeling more supported in their work.

Visit the website at www.handsonscotland.co.uk

Falkirk Football Club has pledged to kick stigma out of Scotland by signing the ‘see me’ Anti-stigma Pledge during last Saturday’s game at The Falkirk Stadium.

Chairman, Campbell Christie signed the Pledge at half-time during the club’s game against Motherwell FC, which was Scotland’s first football club to sign the Pledge. The new signing marks the club’s commitment to challenge the discrimination experienced by those with mental health problems.

1 in 4 Scots will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives; the equivalent to 5 or 6 of the 22 players on the pitch on Saturday. However, recent research carried out by ‘see me’ found that 81% of people who have experienced mental health problems were stigmatised as a result and many said that the stigma they experience was worse than the mental health problem itself.
 
‘see me’, which is Scotland’s national mental health anti-stigma campaign, believes working in partnership with groups and organisations across Scotland is a crucial way to eliminate the stigma which continues to exist around mental ill-health.

Acting Campaign Director for ‘see me’ Suzie Vestri commented: “We can all help to put a stop to the stigma.  It's not hard to do.  If someone you know has a mental health problem - keep on talking to them and carry on being a good colleague or friend.  You don’t have to have all the 'right' answers, simply talking and listening is a good start and it can make an enormous difference.”

Campbell Christie, Chairman of Falkirk Football Club said: "I am very pleased, on behalf of everyone associated with Falkirk Football Club, to sign this ‘see me’ Pledge as a statement of our support for the campaign to tackle the stigma often associated with people experiencing mental health issues. All of us at this Club want to demonstrate our commitment to eliminating stigma and discrimination in how we as a society, deal with mental illness. This is an issue for everyone and we hope that by signing this pledge we will play our part in widening awareness of this as an issue which needs urgent attention."

As a symbol of their commitment to tackling stigma, both the Falkirk and Motherwell players wore ‘see me’ t-shirts during the warm up for Saturday’s game and ‘see me’ postcards were also handed out to the 5,000 supporters.

ENDS

Interviews
Local people from Forth Valley who have experienced stigma first hand and can talk about the impact it has had on their lives are available for interviews. These individuals are fully public and willing to provide stock shots or have their photographs taken.

To arrange an interview or for further information or images please contact Rebecca Charles or Ann Rowe at IAS SMARTS on 0131 555 0425.

Notes to Editors

‘see me’

• The ‘see me’ anti-stigma campaign is run by an alliance of five Scottish mental health organisations: Highland Users Group (HUG), National Schizophrenia Fellowship (Scotland), Penumbra, Royal College of Psychiatrists (Scottish Division) and Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH).

• ‘see me’ is funded by the Scottish Government as part of the Government’s National Programme for Improving the Mental Health and Well-being of the Scottish Population.

• The ‘see me’ campaign features a programme of events and local and national initiatives to reduce the stigma faced by people with mental health problems throughout Scotland.

• The ’see me’ website www.seemescotland.org acts as a signpost site for those seeking information on stigma, mental health problems and support services in Scotland.

NHS Lothian has made a powerful New Year’s resolution to combat the damaging discrimination experienced by people with mental illness by signing the ‘see me’ Anti-stigma Pledge on 11 January.

By signing the pledge, NHS Lothian will now lead the way in Edinburgh and the Lothian’s to challenge the stigma and discrimination experienced by those with mental health problems.

Commenting on the significance of today’s pledge signing, ‘see me’ Campaign Director, Suzie Vestri said: “Individually many of us will have made New Year’s resolutions to improve our own lives; but its incredibly encouraging that an organisation of this size is kick-starting the New Year by pledging to help improve the lives of so many others. Between their staff and patients, NHS Lothian touches the lives of thousands of people across the region and its support will really help stamp out stigma.”
 
Charles Winstanley, Chair, NHS Lothian said: “We are delighted to be involved in the ‘see me’ national anti-stigma campaign and to sign the ‘see me’ pledge which demonstrates our commitment to eliminating stigma and discrimination in mental health.”

Openreach leads the way in combating stigma around mental ill health

Today (Monday 3 December), Openreach, BT’s local access division, will become the first private sector organisation to sign the ‘see me’ anti-stigma Pledge nationally. By signing the Pledge they are committing to work with ‘see me’ to tackle the stigma around mental health problems throughout Scotland.

Although 1 in 4 Scots will experience a mental health problem, the stigma that continues to exist around mental ill-health can prevent people from seeking the help they need; preventing their recovery and leading to feelings of isolation.

‘see me’, Scotland’s national anti-stigma campaign, aims to make people ‘see the person not the label’.  The anti-stigma Pledge enables organisations to make a formal commitment to work with ‘see me’ to eliminate stigma in their organisations.  As a major employer and service provider, Openreach, which delivers installation and maintenance services on behalf of Britain's telephone and internet service providers, is a private sector pioneer in anti-stigma campaigning.

Commenting on the significance of today’s pledge signing, ‘see me’ acting Campaign Director, Suzie Vestri said: “Openreach is setting the standard by being the first major employer to commit to tackling stigma at a national level. 

Having an employer that takes a stand against stigma at work changes people’s lives.  You cannot underestimate the value of promoting tolerance and understanding in the workplace; it enables people, who may otherwise be too afraid, to seek the help and support they need and to stay at work where they can.”

Director for Openreach in Scotland, Bob Downes, said, “I’m really proud to be able to sign the pledge on behalf of Openreach today. As part of BT, Openreach employees have access to many initiatives to educate our people on the facts about mental illness as part of a larger health and wellbeing programme. I hope that our support of ‘see me’ in Scotland further highlights the need for a sympathetic and serious approach to mental illness and the challenges in the workplace it can present for sufferers”

-ENDS-

For further information, images or to arrange interviews please contact Rebecca Charles, or Ann Rowe at IAS SMARTS on 0131 555 0425 / 07855 331 779.

Notes to Editors
‘see me’
• The ‘see me’ anti-stigma campaign is run by an alliance of five Scottish mental health organisations: Highland Users Group (HUG), National Schizophrenia Fellowship (Scotland), Penumbra, Royal College of Psychiatrists (Scottish Division) and Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH).

• ‘see me’ is funded by the Scottish Government as part of the Executive’s National Programme for Improving the Mental Health and Well-being of the Scottish Population.

• The ‘see me’ campaign features a programme of events and local and national initiatives to reduce the stigma faced by people with mental health problems throughout Scotland.

• The ’see me’ website www.seemescotland.org acts as a signpost site for those seeking information on stigma, mental health problems and support services in Scotland.

About Openreach
Openreach is responsible for the nationwide local BT network which connects homes and businesses across Britain to communications providers' networks.  Openreach provides communications providers with services and products associated with that network.

Nine leading employers in Forth Valley are uniting today (6 December 2007) behind a new initiative to drive stigma out of Forth Valley.  Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Councils are amongst those pledging a commitment to work with ‘see me’ to combat the damaging discrimination experienced by people with mental illness.

One in four Scots will experience a mental health problem at some stage in their life, which is the equivalent of around 70,000 people in Forth Valley.  Sadly, stigma continues to exist around mental ill-health and, as well as being deeply hurtful, prevents people from seeking the help they need to recover.

‘see me’ is Scotland’s national mental health anti-stigma campaign. Working in partnership with groups and organisations across Scotland is a crucial way for the campaign to combat instances of stigma in the communities and organisations where it persists.

Commenting on the significance of today’s pledge signing, ‘see me’ acting Campaign Director, Suzie Vestri said: “The nine organisations signing the pledge today are sending out a clear signal that stigma has no place in Forth Valley.  As major employers and service providers in the area, their influence is far reaching and will have a positive impact on the lives of their employees and the wider community.”

Speaking on behalf of the signatories, NHS Forth Valley Chief Executive, Fiona Mackenzie, said: “Mental health problems are by far the most frequent issue which people consult their GP about, so any campaign to help reduce the stigma surrounding this type of illness is to be welcomed. As a group we are very committed to addressing the problems people face, and working in partnership will help promote better understanding and outcomes.”

The Forth Valley Pledge signatories included:

Steven Torrie, Chief Fire Officer, Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service; Andrew Cameron, Chief Constable, Central Scotland Police; Fiona Mackenzie, Chief Executive, NHS Forth Valley; Keith Yates, Chief Executive, Stirling Council; Mary Pitcaithly, Chief Executive, Falkirk Council; Dave Jones, Chief Executive, Clackmannanshire Council; Stuart Ogg, Acting Chief Executive, Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley; Christine Hallett, Principal,  University of Stirling; and Linda McKay, Forth Valley College.

-ENDS-

For further information, images or to arrange interviews please contact Rebecca Charles or Ann Rowe at IAS SMARTS on 0131 555 0425.
Notes to Editors

‘see me’

• The ‘see me’ anti-stigma campaign is run by an alliance of five Scottish mental health organisations: Highland Users Group (HUG), National Schizophrenia Fellowship (Scotland), Penumbra, Royal College of Psychiatrists (Scottish Division) and Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH).

• ‘see me’ is funded by the Scottish Government as part of the Executive’s National Programme for Improving the Mental Health and Well-being of the Scottish Population.

• The ‘see me’ campaign features a programme of events and local and national initiatives to reduce the stigma faced by people with mental health problems throughout Scotland.

• The ’see me’ website www.seemescotland.org acts as a signpost site for those seeking information on stigma, mental health problems and support services in Scotland.

SAMH has launched new guidance for employers called 'Making reasonable adjustments in the workplace for people with mental health problems'.  The guidance has been produced in consultation with employers and people who have experience of mental health problems while in employment. SAMH can also provide advice and training upon making reasonable adjustments.

Employers are required under the Disability Discrimination Act to make reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities, if they are disadvantaged by the physical environment or working practices of the employer. Many employers know how to deal with this for people with physical disabilities, but are uncertain how to approach the issue for staff with mental health problems.

The new guidance outlines how to go about making an adjustment, suggests some possible adjustments that employers can make and sets out how to access further help. The organisation can also provide training to organisations on making reasonable adjustments. More details can be found at  http://www.samh.org.uk/assets/files/193.pdf

As part of the many activities across Scotland during the Mental Health Week, ‘see me’ supported a variety of artistes to take to the stage at the Gaiety Theatre in Ayr to promote positive mental health and well-being and to tackle stigma of mental ill-health. The play "Pieces of a Jigsaw" was performed on 9 and 10 October. It was written by Evelyn Hood, a Scottish novelist and playwright and Ross Mackie, a Charge Nurse at Crosshouse in Kilmarnock. The play tackles five people’s recovery from mental ill-health and their journey along that road. Ross Mackie commented: “The play went very well indeed, I think a lot of members of the wider community were educated and given awareness of mental health issues and stigma. In the first half of the show a variety of performers took to the stage, including Samba Drummers, folk singers, a performance poet and a woman who had previously used services and whose dream it was to perform on the Gaiety stage from a young age. The two nights were well received by all with 400 people attending over the two nights. Everyone left with a real buzz and more awareness of mental health issues.”

On the World Mental Health Day, 10 October, a further six Ayrshire & Arran based companies demonstrated their commitment to tackling stigma experienced by people with mental health problems, by signing the ‘see me’ Anti-stigma Pledge. By pledging their commitment to combat stigma in their organisations and community, Glasgow Prestwick Airport and HMP Kilmarnock are the first airport and prison in Scotland to join the local initiative, working alongside ‘see me’ nationwide.

The initiative, which now includes eleven local organisations, challenges the stigma associated with mental ill-health and aims to eliminate the discrimination experienced by those with mental health problems across Ayrshire & Arran.

‘see me’, the national anti-stigma campaign, aims to make people ‘see the person and not the label’. The Anti-stigma Pledge, launched in response to mounting local support for the national campaign, enables organisations to make a formal commitment to work with ‘see me’ to eliminate stigma in their organisations or areas.

Joint work with local groups and organisations is an important feature of the ‘see me’ campaign. By signing the ‘see me’ pledge, the companies will lead the way locally to challenge the stigma and discrimination experienced by those with mental health problems.

Representatives from each organisation including, beCogent in Kilmarnock, Jobcentre Plus in Ayr, Glasgow Prestwick Airport, University of Paisley Students Association, Partners for Inclusion in Kilmarnock and HMP Kilmarnock, were joined by, Suzie Vestri, acting Campaign Director at ‘see me’ at an official signing ceremony at the Princes Royal Conference Centre, Ayr Racecourse.

Commenting on the significance of the ‘see me’ pledge signing, Suzie Vestri, acting Campaign Director at ‘see me’ said, “The tremendous level of enthusiasm in Ayrshire & Arran is invaluable in promoting anti-stigma messages. Fear of other people’s reactions often prevents people who experience mental health problems from seeking help. By reducing the stigma we will make it easier for everyone to speak more openly about mental health problems.”

Mark Rodwell CEO of Glasgow Prestwick Airport commented: “Glasgow Prestwick Airport is committed to eliminate the stigma of mental ill health. We encourage our staff to come forward, by sharing a problem, we can tackle it together. This is also an opportunity to open this up to the millions of passengers of who use our airport each year.”

Jim Duggan, Healthcare and Contracts Manager HMP Kilmarnock added: “Through Healthy Working Lives HMP Kilmarnock has become much more aware of the impact of our working environment on the health of our employees.  Signing the ‘see me’ pledge will help us to focus on eliminating stigma and discrimination of mental ill-health through creating an environment in which both staff and prisoners feel comfortable in seeking help and support.”

On 4 October, Gail Porter launched the first ever Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival which runs from 5th – 19th October, surrounding World Mental Health Day (10th October). Led by a trio of partners: NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, the Mental Health Foundation and the ‘see me’ campaign, the mixed arts festival, with over 40 events and involving over 60 organisations, aims to promote positive attitudes towards mental ill health.

The festival will host a number of exciting and diverse events across venues in Glasgow and Lanarkshire including: an evaluation of the life and work of controversial Scottish psychiatrist RD Laing, on what would have been his 80th birthday, in the form of theatre, talks and a documentary screening; Psychologists and comedians joining forces to produce a film tackling the stigma of mental health launched with a comedy gig featuring Raymond Mearns, The Reverend Obidiah Steppenwolf III,  David Kay, and Gary Little; a strong showcase of film screenings including Anton Corbijn’s Control followed by talks with mental health and celebrity speakers plus 8 events exploring attitudes towards mental illness through various art forms in Chinese, African and South Asian communities. All events will be low cost or free to the public.

The Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival aims to tackle misperceptions head on by recognising the arts and film as a vehicle to inform and educate people about mental health problems. Lee Knifton Festival Director, explains “We aim to engage the media, the public, and the arts in a dialogue about mental health issues”.

Suzie Vestri, acting Campaign Director at ‘see me’ said:  “The arts influence people’s understanding and attitudes around mental health and mental health problems. The Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival is a really positive way to emotionally engage with issues of mental ill health and explore new ideas and insights. Many people who have experienced mental health problems have made fantastic creative contributions to our society in the arts, film and media and also in the fields of politics, sport and academia. We hope that the Festival will raise awareness of mental health issues to help combat the hurtful stigma experienced by many.”

Andrew McCulloch, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, said: “We’re really excited to be involved in the festival, which will use film and the arts to draw attention to mental health in a way that is positive and appealing. Film is one of the most powerful media for engaging both hearts and minds, with a long history of portraying mental ill-health. The variety of events planned as part of the festival will get people thinking and talking about mental illness - it’s not going to go away and it is vital to promote understanding on the subject.”

Professor Sir John Arbuthnott, Chairman, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: “NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has a strong commitment to promoting mental health and well-being, and to challenging stigma and discrimination associated with mental health problems.  We are therefore delighted to be playing a part in putting together the first ever Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival. It is encouraging to see so many partners – including many from well beyond the traditional health and social care sectors – getting involved to create a wonderful range of events.  And particularly pleasing to note the active involvement of service users in all aspects of the Festival.

“The arts can play a major role in connecting people into health issues, in stimulating debate and in challenging our perceptions and beliefs. I would encourage everyone – public and professionals alike - to take part in these events and to support on-going work to improve mental health.”

Log on to www.mhfestival.com for full event listings

A Play by

Ross Mackie & Evelyn Hood

Inspired by Real Stories of Recovery
AYR GAIETY - 9th & 10th October 2007 - 7.25pm

Tickets available from the GAIETY BOX OFFICE

All seats £5

This evening of entertainment

Supported by Scottish Recovery Network & See Me
Also brings you special Guests:-

Rab Wilson, Maggie McCrae, Heather Heywood, SumWummimDrummin & Co, Hiola & MORE!

Communication Workers Union joins ‘see me’ to combat stigma around mental ill health

Four of the Scottish branches from the Communication Workers Union (CWU) pledged their commitment to work with ‘see me’ in tackling the stigma and discrimination experienced by people with mental health problems. They became the first trade union to sign the ‘see me’ Anti-Stigma Pledge on 17 July. Representing over 7,000 telecommunications workers throughout Scotland, CWU’s support is warmly welcomed. ‘see me’ are looking forward to working with our first trade union partner to tackle the stigma of mental ill-health and taking the anti-stigma message to a new industry.

Ken McKenzie, CWU Branch Officer, added: “We are regularly approached by members in need of assistance and we are beginning to see an exponential rise in the number of instances where failing mental health may well be a factor. However it can extremely difficult to detect this, and members can often be too afraid to come forward for fear of being ridiculed, talked about or sniggered at. We hope through our partnership with ‘see me’ to continue learning about recognising the tell tale signs of mental ill-health and signposting our members to health care professionals so that they can receive the very best treatment available”.

Local mental health organisations join forces with ‘see me’ to raise awareness of stigma
 
‘see me’ is joining forces with local Fife mental health organisations (The Cottage, Fife Families Support, Fife Hearing Voices Network , NSF Scotland) and Limelight Productions to showcase a musical version of Jekyll & Hyde to put common misconceptions about mental ill health in the spotlight.

From Monday 17th September to Saturday 22nd September, the Carnegie Hall in Dunfermline will host the unique musical performance to raise awareness of the stigma associated with mental ill health.

Limelight, a new musical theatre company operating in West Fife, was keen to work within the mental ill health arena.  They aim to use the performance to portray mental health problems in a positive and accurate way. The poignant, musical performance of Jekyll & Hyde was selected to highlight the serious subject matter and raise awareness of stigma by offering locals information and advice about mental health problems.

Tickets for Jekyll & Hyde are available now. For more information please visit www.thelimelightproductions.co.uk or call 01383 822501 to book tickets.

 
'see me' Alliance Member, SAMH is delighted to present the Scottish Mental Health and Well - Being  Awards. The awards aim to bring service users, mental health service staff, service providers, mental health charities, corporate sector and the general public together to openly discuss mental health issues, celebrate the achievements and advancements within the sector and combat stigma and discrimination.

This exciting and new venture for SAMH and will be hosted for the first time virtually with regular updates appearing on www.samh.org.uk and the winners announced and appearing on the website daily during Mental Health Awareness Week 8th -14th October 2007

We are inviting nominations on 5 open categories which are:

Excellence in Broadcasting

This award is for the broadcast portrayal of mental health in Scotland. Nominations for this award can be an individual programme, series of programmes, article or feature in a programme through any medium of broadcast media eg Television or Radio that has been produced, written, directed or filmed in Scotland or through a Scottish broadcasting company. It could be a storyline in soap, an article in the news or magazine style programme or it could be a documentary on a specific mental health issue. There is no barrier to what category of programme it may be

Excellence In Written Media

This award is for the written portrayal of mental health in Scotland. Similar to the broadcasting award, this award is specific to written media eg, newspaper, magazine or book.  It could be an article on a specific mental health issue, a separate pullout from a magazine or newspaper or a specific book in which the main character has experience of mental health problems. There is no restriction on the type of written media. Nominations must have been either written, published by a Scottish individual or company or have a predominant Scottish content

Employer of the Year

This award is to recognise an employer who has excelled in good mental health and well - being practices for their staff. 

Individual Achievement

This award is to recognise a person who has done something extraordinary to promote mental health and well - being or the rights of people with mental health problems in Scotland.   Paid employees of mental health organisations are not eligible.

Lifetime Achievement

This award is for an individual who has dedicated much of their career or life to mental health in Scotland. It is to recognise achievements by an individual who has been both inspirational and influential within mental health in Scotland
 
As a valued supporter your nominations count. If you have a person, company or article that you feel deserves recognition please email your choice including your contact details and an explanation from yourself as to why you believe they should be a winner to awards@samh.org.uk. 
 
By making a nomination you will automatically be entered into our prize draw and you could win £50 in John Lewis/ Waitrose vouchers.
 
You can also make a nomination by following the link online at www.samh.org.uk on the phone by calling 0141 568 7028 by post to Scottish Mental Health and Well-being Awards. SAMH Centre for Research, Influence and Change Cumbrae House, 15 Carlton Court, Glasgow G5 9JP or via fax to 0141 568 7001.
 
We would like to open this opportunity up to as many people as possible so please feel free to forward this on to friends, family and colleagues.
 
Closing date for nominations is the 17th September 2007 where winners will be selected from an indepenant panel.
 
Thank you for your consideration we look forward to receiving your nomination.
 
In anticipation of your support

'see me' Alliance Member, SAMH, has launched its latest edition of 'The Point', which is also readable online if you follow the link  http://www.samh.org.uk/assets/files/176.pdf

Read and Enjoy!

You don’t have to play with me...agree with me… or even like me…but you do have to respect me!

espectme, Scotland’s Anti-Bullying service, will launch its first national awareness-raising campaign on Monday 20 August 2007.  ‘It’s Never Acceptable’ reinforces the message that bullying is never acceptable and is not a normal part of growing up. 

Children and young people will fall out with each other; they will disagree about what’s cool and what’s not and they won’t necessarily like or make friends with everyone they meet, for a variety of reasons.  And that can be a normal part of growing up.  But to prevent this behaviour from becoming bullying, they must respect each other, respect difference, and respect diversity in today’s society.

Campaign posters are being sent to every primary, secondary and residential school in Scotland and this is being supplemented by an advertising campaign on national radio, Scotrail trains, Lothian buses and the Glasgow Subway.

To further support the campaign, we are holding a series of free training events which are being offered to adults across Scotland.   The training covers issues such as; what bullying behaviour is; signs that might indicate that bullying is taking place; practical advice on what to do if a child or young person tells you they are being bullied; and guidance on developing and review anti-bullying policies, together with possible strategies for putting these into practice.  Dates are still available in Glasgow, Inverness, Edinburgh, Dumfries and Dundee in the coming months.

Brian Donnelly, respectme Director, said:

“Bullying does not build character or make anyone stronger.  Our message is clear; it’s never an acceptable part of anyone’s life.

“We want to work in partnership with all adults, individuals and organisations to give confidence to those who need it, to promote the good work that’s out there and to give a voice to those who have never had one.

“respectme aims to empower everyone from parents to policy makers to make sure that all children and young people can live, work and play in a safe and nurturing environment.”

ENDS

Friday 17 August 2007

Notes to the Editor

respectme is a Scottish Executive funded service, managed by SAMH in partnership with LGBT Youth Scotland

respectme has replaced the Anti-Bullying Network which is no longer funded by the Scottish Executive

Our vision is of a society where all children and young people can live free from bullying and harassment and can reach their full potential

respectme’s remit goes far beyond the school gates.  Bullying takes place in all settings where children and young people interact and our role is to work with all adults who are involved in the lives of children and young people

respectme does not work directly with children and young people. We work with adults to give them the practical skills and confidence to deal with people who are bullied and those who bully others

respectme is not a helpline but we work in partnership with other organisations that can provide counselling services, should they be required by adults or children and young people

for further information on training dates and venues, contact Lesley Lamont: lesley.lamont@respectme.org.uk

For further information on respectme, contact us on 0844 800 8600 or visit the website: www.respectme.org.uk

Alternatively, contact us via e-mail: enquire@respectme.org.uk or text: Text ‘respect’ plus message to 60066

For further information, contact:

Pamela Graham, respectme Communications Manager: T: 0141 420 5974   E: pamela.graham@respectme.org.uk

Brian Donnelly, respectme Director: T: 0141 567 7199               

E: brian.donnelly@respectme.org.uk

"We're 20 years behind race discrimination…We have to take this on."
Person with mental health problems, March 2007

'Moving People' promises to change the culture of mental health forever in a ground-breaking bid to battle the growing problem of mental health stigma and discrimination, aiming to reach some 30 million people across England. Today, the Big Lottery Fund has announced an award of £16 million from its Well-being programme, matched by a further £2 million from Comic Relief (1), giving an historic opportunity to Moving People, a mental health charity partnership led by Mental Health Media, Mind, Rethink and Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London.

People with mental health problems are one of the most excluded groups in society:
• 84% experiencing problems in getting jobs, mortgages, healthcare, friendships, relationships (Mind survey, 2004).
• 55% of young people (NUS and Rethink, 2001) wouldn’t want anyone else to know they had mental health problems.
• 49% of people with mental health problems have been harassed or attacked (2)
• 33% of this group report having been dismissed or forced to resign from jobs (3)
Yet 1 in 4 of us will experience a mental health problem. New research (4) shows that attitudes in England towards mental health have worsened further, contrasting with Scotland, where a strong anti-stigma campaign has changed attitudes:
• 17% increase in belief that the mentally ill are prone to violence in England, up to 34%, compared to drop of more than 50% from 32% to 15% in Scotland
• Only 65% of people now believe that people with mental health problems should have the same right to a job as anyone else
• Only 42% of Londoners disagree that 'One of the main causes of mental illness is a lack of self-discipline and willpower'
• 32% of Londoners think 'There is something about people with mental illness that makes it easy to tell them from normal people'

The £18 million 4-year programme, mental health's biggest ever voluntary-sector led initiative, is evidence-based from best international practice (5), placing the expertise of people with mental health problems at the centre of all activity. It includes:
• a nationwide anti-stigma campaign, including TV advertising, backed by detailed information resources including a dedicated website
• 28 England-wide local community physical activity projects, backing the national campaign by bringing together people with and without mental health experience, from boxing and football to country walks
• 'Get Moving' - mass participation events focusing on mental and physical well-being, building up to the 2012 Olympics
• 'Open-Up' - locally delivered programme to empower people with mental health problems to challenge the daily discrimination that they face
• Training and education programme targeting around 10,000 leaders and professionals who have the power to influence key sectors (eg medical students/trainee teachers) to help them change current discriminatory behaviour
• Legal challenges, helping change discriminatory legislation and policy
Mental Health Media Chief Executive Maggie Gibbons said: “People with mental health problems today can expect to face huge prejudice and misunderstanding. That is not acceptable. This programme will put people with direct experience right at the heart of bringing about lasting change.”

Mind Chief Executive Paul Farmer said: “Attitudes to mental health have been stuck in the Victorian asylum. This fantastic opportunity is our chance to start to change society's views, giving people with mental health problems equal rights and breaking down barriers through a host of targeted activities. The Well-being programme and Comic Relief's support will enable people with mental health problems to tackle one of the biggest issues they face today."

Rethink Chief Executive Paul Jenkins said: “The world of mental health has been silent for too long in the face of blatant stigma and discrimination. We will be using the latest social marketing techniques to ensure that over the next four years everyone is aware of the issues and is encouraged to become part of the solution.”

Professor Graham Thornicroft Head of the Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, said: “This is by far the most ambitious programme ever undertaken in England to include people with mental illness right in the mainstream of society. We are delighted to have this opportunity to move rapidly towards the eradication of stigma and discrimination against people with mental illness - a fundamental social change that is long overdue."

28 local physical activity projects - a flavour
"Joining Boxercise has improved my life and given me confidence to believe in myself - I'm feeling better than I have done for years." Tony, service user
The projects involve local Mind associations (LMAs) and Rethink partners. Examples:
• Croydon LMA - 'Boxercise' course of tuition from three-times world champion Duke McKenzie
• Green Schools (Rethink, Derbyshire) - young people from 3 secondary schools will work on conservation projects alongside people with mental health problems
• Brent Healthy Minds in Healthy Bodies (Brent LMA) - activities such as football involving QPR, yoga, walking and gardening
• Eden LMA - activities including climbing, sailing, environmental and conservation work in Lake District

An extensive 6-month consultation period begins in Autumn 07, including a roadshow to gather opinions across the country.

***ENDS***

For further information
Contact Mind press office: T: 0208 522 1743; Out of hours: 07850 788514; ISDN line available for interviews. For general information, please email: info@movingpeople.org.uk

Notes to editors
1) The Big Lottery Fund award is part of today's Wellbeing programme announcement of over £126 million to help communities build healthier lifestyles. It aims to promote physical activity, healthy eating and improve mental health across England.
2) Mind, Not Just Sticks & Stones, 1996
3) Read & Baker, 1996
4) Attitudes to Mental Illness in England 2007, CSIP/SHiFT July 2007
5) Moving People is built on a powerful evidence base developed in Australia, New Zealand and Scotland of what works.

'Moving People’ promises to change the culture of mental health forever in a ground-breaking bid to battle the growing problem of mental health stigma and discrimination, aiming to reach some 30 million people across England.

In light of this announcement Linda Dunion, campaign director of ‘see me’ has issued the following statement welcoming the successful English bid:

“I am delighted that our English colleagues have successfully won funding for a major anti-stigma programme.  In Scotland, the 'see me' campaign has been funded by government for the past five years.  In that time we have seen improvements in public attitudes and behaviour towards people with experience of mental ill-health in Scotland.  It is good to know that the 'see me' model has helped inform the development of the successful bid. 

We will be working closely with the English anti-stigma consortium to maximise the benefits of north-south co-operation as the programme goes forward, and to carry on learning from each others' experiences."

 -ENDS-

For further information, campaign images or to arrange an interview with Linda Dunion please contact Katrina Muir at IAS SMARTS on 0131 555 0425.

Colleagues within the Glasgow Anti-Stigma Partnership (GASP) have been working with the support of 'see me' to develop a curriculum resource pack for use with young people.  This has been formally launched and, already, schools, Local Authorities and Health Boards across Scotland are showing a keen interest in using the Pack.

The Pack has gained coverage in the Glasgow Evening Times (http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/display.var.1514240.0.kids_to_get_lessons_on_mind_health.php

Anyone interested in developing work with the Pack in schools, across health boards or local councils can find out more by contacting 'see me' (fiona.tannock@seemescotland.org)

KILMARNOCK FC teamed up with NHS Ayrshire & Arran and North, East and South Ayrshire Councils to pledge its commitment to work with ‘see me’ in tackling the stigma and discrimination experienced by people with mental health problems. 

‘see me’, the national anti-stigma campaign, aims to make people ‘see the person and not the label’. The Anti-stigma Pledge, launched in response to mounting local support for the campaign, allows campaign supporters to make a formal commitment to take steps to combat instances of stigma in their organisations or areas.

Joint work with local groups and organisations is an important feature of the ‘see me’ campaign. The ‘see me’ Pledge signatories have made a commitment on behalf of their organisations to lead the way locally in challenging the stigma and discrimination experienced by those with mental health problems.

Signing the Pledge yesterday were: Professor Bill Stevely CBE, Interim Chairman, and Dr Wai-yin Hatton, Chief Executive of NHS Ayrshire & Arran; David O’Neill, Council Leader, and Ian Snodgrass, Chief Executive of North Ayrshire Council; Douglas Reid, Council Leader, and Fiona Lees, Chief Executive of East Ayrshire Council; Hugh Hunter, Council Leader, and Tom Cairns, Chief Executive of South Ayrshire Council; and Michael Johnston, Chairman of Kilmarnock Football Club.  

Commenting on the significance of the ‘see me’ Pledge signing, Linda Dunion said,"With mental ill-health affecting one in four people, every community is affected and it’s important for all communities to be supportive. The stigma around mental ill-health prevents people seeking help, which can lead to isolation and prevent recovery.  The pledge signing is a clear signal that stigma has no place in Ayrshire & Arran and we look forward to working with our local partners to spread the word."

Michael Johnston, Chairman of Kilmarnock Football Club said: "In pledging our support for the 'see me' campaign, we are reinforcing our commitment to helping improve the health and wellbeing of our local communities and visitors to our club."

Dr Wai-yin Hatton, Chief Executive of NHS Ayrshire & Arran, commented: "We are honoured to pledge our support to the 'see me' campaign, and delighted that our local authority partners joined us at the 'Mind your health' conference for this special occasion.

"This is much more than a symbolic signing ceremony - it is a declaration of our commitment to countering the stigma of mental ill health in our communities.  We will continue to challenge this stigma, leading by example in the way we treat our service users and our staff."

The Leader of South Ayrshire Council, Councillor Hugh Hunter said:  “It is important that everyone supports the campaign.  Working together we can make a positive difference to the lives of people with mental ill-health.  None of us know what the future holds, and this type of illness can affect anyone, we would not want any of our families, friends or colleagues to be discriminated against because of a mental health problem and it is incumbent on us to set an example in how we treat those with mental health problems. Signing this pledge is a public declaration that we take mental health problems seriously and pledge to look past the label and see the person.”

Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of East Ayrshire Council said: “This is such an important cause and I am delighted to represent East Ayrshire in signing this declaration. We must escape the stigma of mental ill-health, educate our communities and strengthen and display our support. Working together with ‘see me’ will allow us to tackle this issue”.

Ian Snodgrass, Chief Executive of North Ayrshire Council, added: "This is an important event in our ongoing drive to challenge the stigma of mental ill health in North Ayrshire. We are delighted to work together with the 'see me' campaign in taking forward the important message that mental ill-health can affect anyone."

The ‘see me’ Pledge reads:

"We are committed to work as part of the 'see me' campaign to challenge the stigma associated with mental ill-health and to eliminate the discrimination experienced by people with mental health problems”.

Following the signing of the Pledge, the organisations involved will work and act together locally and to pool their time, energy and resources in a multi-organisational effort to tackle stigma and discrimination experienced by locals living with mental health problems.

-ENDS-

Mosaics of Meaning research launched at a national conference in Glasgow on 24 May 2007

‘see me’ have been linking with national and community organisations in supporting Glasgow’s largest settled black and minority ethnic (BME) communities to address issues of stigma and discrimination associated with mental health problems. This is a complex and underdeveloped area, so we began by developing the evidence base for action through research. ‘see me’ have been a key partner of a steering group for this work, which is led by the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. The research combined a substantial international literature review with focus groups with Pakistani, Indian, African, Caribbean and Chinese communities in Glasgow. The local research was led by community organisations, and the process involved considerable capacity building including research skills training that ‘see me’ provided. The research explores patterns of stigma with communities and then identifies community led solutions. The reports are now ready for publication and were launched at a national conference in The Lighthouse in Glasgow on 24 May 2007. Please click here to access the Summary Report.

We are currently working with the steering group and the community partners to develop the evidence from the research into practice. The research suggests an intervention model that links specific community development approaches with supportive national and regional activities. Each organisation that undertook the research remains involved in leading the implementation of initiatives, with the support from the national and local steering group members. Over the coming months ‘see me’ will be exploring different ways in which this work could be taken forward. We feel that this work is taking us a big step further in our aim to reach people across the diverse communities in Scotland. The process has also developed a model that can possibly be applied to a whole range of settings aiming to reach diverse groups of people

Please click here to access the full report.

Mind Your Head, the charity recently formed to promote awareness and reduce the stigma of mental health in Shetland have launched a new website today.  The website aims to provide information on mental health and wellbeing and provides links to other national and local organisations.

Such was the success of the 2006 Round Spiggie Fun Run and Walk it was decided it should become an annual event and the launch of their website enables participants to now register online. 

nb communications are sponsors of the new site and the MYH committee wish to express their sincere thanks to David Nicol who has donated his time and expertise to creating the website free of charge.  Chairwoman Shona Manson said it was help and support like this that continued to overwhelm, and reinforce that the charity had an important part to play in the Shetland community.

Miss Manson and all committee members also wished to thank George Garriock of Garriock Bros. Ltd who are the sponsors of the 2007 Fun Run.  Sponsorship is an important part of the event as all funds raised can go straight to the development of new services and positive promotion of mental health”. 

MYH are working in partnership with Shetland Recreational Trust to focus on the positive impact that exercise can have on someone’s mental health.  A brisk walk on fine day (or even a not so fine one!) can really lift your spirits and that’s the message that we want to get across to people.’

Shetland Recreational Trust are offering discounts to all those who register for the event up to the 12th August.  This includes Clickimin and all rural centres.

If you are interested in taking part in the event you can register online at www.mindyourhead.org.uk or by calling 01595 741322.  Julie Halcrow from MYH said ‘We had an overwhelming turn out last year and hope we can at least match that this year.  We want the 12th August to be a day for all the family whether you are walking, running or coming along for a family day out.  There will be activities for bairns and Sunday teas being served in the Dunrossness public hall’.

Mind Your Head are currently working in partnership with the NHS to develop a new post.  The Mind Your Head Support Worker will provide information, signposting to other relevant services and self help support to people with mild to moderate mental health problems.  This service will help to fill the gap that exists in current provision and offer more choice to referrers and clients.

Miss Manson said, ‘We are also building links with national organisations such as Choose Life, Scotland’s Suicide prevention Organisation and See Me, who aim to tackle the stigma of mental health.  Mind Your Head can learn alot from these organisations and hope that we can undertake joint work with them in the future’

A project in East Ayrshire providing alternative treatment for depression and mild mental health problems was recently shortlisted for the major UK award CILIP/LiS Change Lives.

This is the 15th year of the national award that recognises innovative and exciting work in libraries and their communities. The award was established to acknowledge and reward libraries and information services working with disadvantaged groups.

Overall, 26 projects were nominated, 3 were shortlisted and Read Yourself Well was the only Scottish project in the final 3.

Read Yourself Well provides an alternative non-drug or complementary treatment to help people think differently about psychological problems. The Bibliotherapist (Morag McGrath) works with individual clients to promote the use of self-help material to improve the client’s mental health. Morag is based at the Dick Institute, but the project is available across East Ayrshire.

“I have spoken to you for 20 minutes and you have done more for me than years of seeing different psychiatrists.” Read Yourself Well Client

This form of therapy has proven hugely successful in supporting and educating people with mild mental health problems. Testimonials and feedback has shown that the project has had a huge impact on clients enabling them to move forward and enrich their quality of life.

“This is an experimental project being evaluated by academics. My conclusion is that it is highly innovative and imaginative, that it can support others as it has supported me, but that its future success depends on the quality of the Bibliotherapist. East Ayrshire has a gifted person undertaking that role, and if you are referred to her I am confident she will be able to help you as she has me.” Read Yourself Well client

Pauline McLean, BBC Scotland's Arts Correspondent was at the Dick Institute earlier this month and a very positive piece about East Ayrshire Libraries and the project was broadcast on Reporting Scotland lunchtime and evening TV news. It also appeared on Radio Scotland Newsdrive programme that evening and a live interview was broadcast with Morag, Dawn Vallance (project manager) and a client on the BBC Radio Scotland programme ‘The Book Café’. The award ceremony took place in Birmingham on Wednesday 18th April and Dawn and Morag received their finalist certificate ‘in recognition of excellence and good practice for library and information services’ along with a cheque for £2000.

Read Yourself Well has operated in partnership with Community Health Improvement Partnership and “Lifestyle referral” teams, local GPs, Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT) and Community Psychiatric Nurses (CPNs). Choose Life and Doing Well by People with Depression were funding partners and Professor John MacDonald of University of Paisley is evaluating the project.

Notes to Editors:
East Ayrshire Council are the first local authority in Scotland to appoint a Bibliotherapist, funded by NHS Ayrshire & Arran and the Choose Life Group
The ‘Change Lives’ award is sponsored by the Library + information Show (LiS). The event is organised and administered by CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals and its Community Service Group.

26 library-based projects were entered for the 2007 award. These were shortlisted in January and the winner was announced by Roger McGough,
OBE, on 18th April 2007 at the Library & information Show at the NEC, Birmingham.
The other two projects shortlised for the award are:
LARGE (Leeds Always Reading Group for Everyone) project, run by Leeds School Library service, providing large print books for partially sighted children in classrooms so they can read books alongside their peers in mainstream schools.
‘Welcome to Your Library’, run by London Libraries Development Agency. UK-wide project providing structured work placements for refugees and asylum seekers; promoting social inclusion and building self esteem.
This year’s judges are: Nigel Thomas (Chair) from Leicestershire Libraries, Evelyn Kilmurry, Edinburgh Libraries, Linda Constable from Bournemouth Libraries and Katherine Allen, Event Director for LiS.

For more details please contact:
Dianne McGregor, Marketing & Development Officer
The Dick Institute, Elmbank Avenue, Kilmarnock

Thoughts on Recovery - speech given by a member of 'see me's Management Group

Hello, as has been said my name is Graham Morgan and I work with the Highland Users Group which represents about 350 people in the Highlands.
 
A few months ago Simon asked me to talk at this conference about recovery.  This is something that I am so happy to do, but I did  have some reservations about it at the start .
 
People talk and talk about this idea ‘recovery’ - its hard to find a service or a professional who doesn’t say that they will incorporate the  recovery model into the way that they treat us and act with us and so on.
 
And yet for me the idea and the word recovery are slightly alien and I have little or no background in what it really means to those who have immersed themselves in the ideas and concepts that float around so freely nowadays.
 
It was a few months ago that I thought that I might possibly have something relevant to say.  I was talking at a conference and a consultant came up to me after my speech and said that she had heard me speak twice now and that from listening to me and watching me she was sure that my diagnosis of schizophrenia was wrong.
 
Initially I was very offended – it just seemed inappropriate to say such things.  Also, I have grown so used to this diagnosis that to throw it away in a casual conversation seemed quite demeaning – but it made me think. I have hung on to the idea of illness for so long, it is a huge part of the way that I define myself and view myself – is it possible to get caught in a world that, though comfortable, traps you and smothers your growth.
 
My wish to speak out was confirmed a few weeks later when I received a call from the Royal College of Psychiatrists asking me to speak at their summer meeting. And what were they wanting me to talk about? – my road to recovery and what it is like to have regained my health.
 
My mind turned a few cartwheels of surprise – “bing bang bong” I went and “wait a minute”, “since when did I recover and why didn’t anyone tell me?” A sort of “just excuse me for a second, but, don’t I have a say in when I can be regarded as recovered and well and whole and satisfied with the journey my life takes me on.”
 
I really was a shocked person for a time but then a little balm of soft joy slipped into my brain, all the wheels turned cautiously, frightened of unpleasant truths or skipped uncertainties about to ambush my security.
 
This small inkling of a new world muttered about “what if I really am well?”, “what if I have recovered?”, “what if, unknown to me, my journey has become rosy?” - and I agreed to talk in the summer about that journey. So I better do my very best to achieve the joy of a world that is not mind numbingly caught in the world of sadness and illness and the maintenance of helplessness. The request I had found offensive became a token to light my way and provide new invigorating ways in which to see the world, to take that big leap in self definition and see myself as whole rather than damaged and shattered.
 
Since then I have enthusiastically adopted the idea that I am now well.  I bubble around the office telling everyone that I never was schizophrenic, which alarms everyone as Debbie our awareness raiser relies on my story for our awareness training and then I talk about stopping my medication, stopping seeing my psychiatrist and CPN and living free of the cloying world of lost hopes.
 
But that is wrong isn’t it? - to be well or recovered or to lead a fulfilling life doesn’t have to mean that you reject your past or the world with which you are familiar or even mean that you have to be any where near well.
 
Let me set the scene of my life for you.  Most of you won’t know me so perhaps some descriptions may help.
 
I’m 44 years old now and its twenty three years since I was first admitted to a psychiatric hospital.  I had spent some years piling on the adolescent angst until it became too much to bear, life leached itself of the colours that make it vibrant and my core became a place of aching sadness, tense anxiety and numb fear of those around me, the life I lived and the things I believed in, which was nothing. The only bright thing was the sting of a razor blade which helped me relax and sleep but also made me sick inside with disgust at myself – I remember the white cold fear when I finally took an overdose and failed miserable at the idea of dying.
 
Those years were a time of huge emptiness, a lost and lonely time, where I rejected those around me and found the idea of communication and emotion too much to handle but then, it was finally my friends that took me out of it and of course, activity and time and finally love and meaning and purpose - these changed my world and opened up a new dimension where the world became a place I loved being a part of, where, instead of being frightened of everyone I began to look forward to the meetings with strangers that can enliven life, where instead of staring at the pavement, I wanted to meet the eyes of those that I walked past.
 
I had a wonderful few years until with a huge bang everything collapsed around me and my reality became so confused that it didn’t even make sense to me. Those years became the years of Haloperidol and Largactil and later on the injections of Depixol, which still make me indignant.
 
I now live with symptoms that bubble enough to sometimes worry but never spill over into downright alienation.
 
I am fortunate that I have had experiences that give me a glimpse of the abysmal hell that illness can be but, usually, I have been on the edge looking in, lucky to keep myself sound and whole for most of the time.
 
However the years have shaped me. I see myself as ill and damaged. I define myself as different - I don’t trust ordinary people, instead I light up when I meet those that have been through similar experiences. I feel a bond with the world of mental illness which provides me with identity, security, friendship, acknowledgment, communion and respect.  It makes my life at times wonderful - and this is where I worry about the world of recovery. I don’t want to leave my world behind, my identity of illness and difference has been informed by  my experiences over the last two decades. These years have reinforced the message that this is the safest place to be. It’s where I find my friends, it’s where I earn my income, it’s where I meet people who understand me – I really really don’t want to leave it, I fear a world without illness. And yet a big part of me says take that risk, step out into the real world, engage with those normal people that you are so frightened and sceptical of, cut through all the strings of restriction that you have wound so tightly about yourself, that you can’t breath the bright fresh air where new worlds beckon. And then I turn back and feel confused and something Simon said comforts me, because, I heard him saying that recovery is a personal journey with a personal definition. That lifts my heart because I don’t, in the name of a rosy future, want to reject my past or the experiences and people that are dear to me.
 
So for me, my recovery will not mean discarding the past or my experience or my friends but it will mean that I embrace new identities. I suppose that in the last few minutes I have defined myself along the tram lines of impairment.
 
There is an alternative way of looking at the last 23 years of my life. I have had the huge fortune to live a life of great richness. I have sailed across the Mediterranean twice and across the Atlantic twice, where I have seen beautiful dolphins and whales, where the phosphorescence in a gale has made the sails glow.  I have sailed over seas in the Philippines where the coral beneath our boat has seemed close enough to touch. I have sat mending our tent in the Sahara after a sandstorm blew it in two, next to some lonely soldiers patrolling a deserted coast with just two camels for company. I have climbed to the top of mountains in Borneo with my son where our breath has become tight in our chest, but, across the bare rock we have seen the rising sun and the clouds far below.
 
I have had the privilege of having friends that have let drunken conversations flow erratically through the night, the joy of falling in love and knowing that another person cannot wait to see me again. There is the angst and agony of bringing up and growing up with my son. I could go on for ages and ages about all those parts of my life that have nothing to do with despair and sadness, and so, I suppose, that for me my route to recovery involves opening up my world to all those experiences that have nothing to do with schizophrenia but which have shaped me just as surely as the labels our world is so keen to adopt.
 
When I get to my conference in the summer I hope that my message of recovery is about Graham who loves to be silly, who can’t wait for the chance to talk nonsense, who loves to cook and to drink and to walk by rivers and to write and to work and bask in the joy he gets from those that he loves and who love and respect him in turn. That is me too, an awkward smoker who doesn’t smoke at the moment, a little puppy who basks in a hug or a compliment and a person who just wants life to be nice and friendly and for whom razor blades represent a bright escape which will hopefully never need to happen again. 
 
I don’t know where my journey will take me, I don’t know whether I will become ill again, whether the world will be rosy or sad and in many ways I don’t want to try to decide on the shape of my journey, but I do thank that consultant who told me that I wasn’t schizophrenic.  She did me a great favour – I am going to keep that label as long as it fits my internal vision but, I do feel I have been given the liberating responsibility to look at a world that is wider than illness and disability; that embraces a fuller view of the world, and that gives new perspectives to a life that is sometimes wonderful. Yet my journey has grown out of pain and that journey has only been successful because of my connection with those who have suffered even more than me.  That is my past and my bedrock, and will continue to be a part of my reality and is something I will never reject, just because some people choose to see me as well rather than ill.
 
I could finish here but Simon has asked me to challenge a little bit and so far what I have told you is a story not a challenge.
 
I talked a little time ago about those who have suffered so much more than me. Some of my friends and acquaintances have had experiences that are so much harsher than mine and many of you here will have suffered in ways that I cannot grasp or imagine. I suppose, what I have to say is that people are now saying everyone has a right to recovery.  Well, for some of us, we don’t need to be told that - it is, to some people, just plain insulting. If your life has been devastated and wrecked by illness, your job has disappeared like a rush of leaves, you are seen as unfit to look after your children, you have no friends, nothing to do, almost no money and the professionals do not even seem to understand your distress, well, sometimes it can feel as though our lives have been wrecked without any hope of repair - the journey is fractured and unwelcome and its end the only bright solution. Then in this situation we may not welcome some bright person coming along to empower us on our journey of recovery, we may get downright angry when the end of the day is the furthest we can possibly look to, and yet we are being encouraged to develop hope and optimism. There may be an instinctive “how dare you underestimate my despair?”, “how dare you ask me to find the slightest degree of hope in the poverty of my life?”. So many of you here will have reached that point where journeys and belief in yourself are irrelevant, where there is absolutely nothing to celebrate and, in those places, some of us will not welcome the guidance of optimism.  It will seem patronising and misplaced - yes, good for another point of our lives, where we are slightly freer to look around us, but not when the whole world has imploded and all there is, is greyness.
 
To me I find that the word ‘hope’ that we bandy around so readily is something that is potent and dangerous. Yes - fantastic, if we can find it, desperate if we have lost it and  dangerous, if we dare, in the dark days to hope, and then find that it doesn’t always work and that it isn’t the sure fire route to deliverance. We have to be careful when our professionals or friends offer hope - it is a powerful thing that can damage as well as inspire. We also have to be careful when we are denied the bright vision that hope can provide because without it our lives can close down.
 
And theories - I am sorry I have often talked about theories, models and concepts, they are good, they do enliven and illuminate but they are still theories. Recovery as a concept in Scotland has become embedded in our conversations within the mental health community but there is that danger of making it the be all and end all of services – we don’t want, what can be a valuable and potent tool, to turn itself into a minor religion or political philosophy. Too often, really good ideas become so acceptable and correct that they brook no argument and the non believers are looked down upon and scorned and excluded – we need to be sure that there is always a welcome and healthy sceptiscm to ideas such as this, we need to be sure that we can express stupid ideas, get the theory wrong, just plain not get it at all, because debate and questioning, far from damaging, will help ideas grow and develop and flourish whilst complete acceptance may stifle and diminish.
 
I do really like the fact that we define what recovery is.  As you will have just heard, I have created my own personal recovery journey in the last few sentences; but there is this nagging worry in my mind, that if we all create our own unique versions of what recovery is, then does it just become an amorphous and intangible web of vaguely related ideas which change from person to person and which cannot be challenged or discussed because really there is nothing consistent to talk about? Everything becomes right according to an individuals personal experience.  Maybe that is good, maybe it is hugely liberating, but, maybe it stops challenge or rigorous debate because there is nothing solid to talk about.
 
I pause here because as I am writing I am learning. Isn’t there something truly invigorating about the idea that we can develop our own recovery journey, that our route to recovery is based on our own internal vision, our own culture, our own beliefs and way of looking at life? This really is about taking control of our lives and about giving ourselves the belief that life can be better. However, each story is different.  There is no one answer to what works and what doesn’t, there is no guarantee or evidence that our vision will be positive but there is that great liberation of being given the opportunity to find our own path. It is this very individuality that is exciting but something sparks in my head - what works for one may not work for another.  In fact it may damage other people.
 
As we gather the narratives we may be tempted to gather evidence about what does and doesn’t aid recovery - is that good? Or does it detract from the personal vision at its core?  I can imagine a researcher or a psychiatrist saying that the idea is all very well but does it actually work? And, what is the proven evidence that the routes to recovery work? There is a temptation to say our route is better than the scientific and medical route, but they are both viable if very different options. You can see how we may pit science against recovery when, in my mind, what we need to do is to find a way of integrating two apparently confrontational ideas.  Maybe we can learn from the world of cancer treatments where treatment is based on evidence but that this evidence of what works for the disease medically is bound up with a philosophy of care that also includes quality of life and hope and personal goals and visions - all those other things which make life bearable and liveable.
 
I have another thought in my mind.  Everyone assumes that we want to recover and want to get well - we take it for granted, and yet for some of us, there can be a perverse romance in illness.  For some of us there can be a warm glow in the protection and comfort we are offered when we are ill. Sometimes we don’t want to search for new horizons and new hope.  We want to huddle up in the comfort of limited horizons and a supportive community –leaving it is just not attractive – it’s a place where we feel a sense of belonging and the very idea of recovery threatens this.  Now why shouldn’t this be so?  Do we not have a right to our own space and our own quiet world safe from disturbance and from those that think they know what we really need for a good life?  
 
Lastly who owns the idea of recovery? Well, its obvious isn’t it?  My vision of my journey is mine and mine alone. No one can make me recover. No one can do recovery to me, it is up to me and it is my decision about where I go. And yet, that vision will be influenced by all those around me -  whether they be helpers, friends or family. This of course is where it gets confusing.  I do hear people resenting the fact that the major voluntary organisations are taking over the delivery of recovery and almost steering it away from the user movement where it should rest. I even hear people saying that the Scottish Recovery Network is not in the right place for us because it isn’t user run.
 
But then why should recovery be purely based in the user movement?  If it has to be integral to our movement then why not everything that is to do with us?  Maybe as users, we should lead and control all those services that are there to help us – after all it is our lives that are being affected, our journeys that are being influenced . I don’t see why recovery should be a special case - it’s just that it originated in our movement and it only starts to be a special case if the very act of promoting it as a service detracts from the philosophy of the whole idea. It will be debased when people set out to make us recover just as I feel angry about people who seek to empower me, so would I feel angry about someone who because they are paid to, feels that they know more about my recovery journey than I do. But we are all connected in different ways - to be precious about an idea and not allow its growth because it should just be our idea seems self limiting.  My feeling is that anyone or any organisation that can help us find a brighter journey is welcome in my life. It’s a question of maintaining respect and sharing common values.  To me, it’s about assuming the vast majority of us are trying to find a common goal - drawing up the barriers can just lead to confrontation and anger, instead of the joy of finding mutual connections and shared experience.
 
I don’t suppose any of this is really challenging, so my apologies - Simon I have really enjoyed reflecting on how I personally see recovery.
 
You will all have loads of material from the Recovery Network but if any of you are interested in the HUG report on Recovery you can find it on our website at www.hug.uk.net.
 
Lastly I read a book recently called Poppy Shakespeare.  After a shaky start, it really grabbed hold of me and I found it to be one of the best books I’ve recently read on mental health and a great description of why the system we live in needs the liberation of new ideas and ways of thinking that are embodied in this word recovery.
 
 
Thank you.

Graham Morgan, Highland Advocacy Project Manager
Highland Community Care Forum, Highland House, 20 Longman Road, Inverness Tel: 01463 723557 / Fax: 01463 717817 / Email: hug@hccf.org.uk
 

Congratulations to James Cairns who jointly won Helpline Volunteer of the Year, a national award from the Telephone Helplines Association Awards.  James received the award at a ceremony held in London’s BT Tower in recognition of his work promoting Breathing Space, Scotland’s helpline for people experiencing low mood or depression.

James started volunteering as a media volunteer in September 2004, helping to launch ‘see me’s second year of campaigning during Scottish Mental Health Week.  Since then he has given radio and TV interviews and has appeared in numerous publications in support of national and local anti-stigma activity.  James also supported the launch of the Scottish Recovery Network in December 2004 before starting to volunteer with Breathing Space. 

Over the past two years, James has taken part in awareness raising events and media activity across Scotland on behalf of Breathing Space.  By sharing his own experience of mental health problems he is able to reach out to other young men and encourage them to be aware of their mental health and to talk about their feelings.

Tony McLaren, National Co-ordinator for Breathing Space said, “The phone line service specifically, but not exclusively, targets young men who are experiencing low mood and difficulties in their lives.  We are very fortunate that James is willing to talk publicly about his own experiences which highlight the importance of seeking help at an early stage to avoid problems escalating.  We are extremely grateful to James for all his hard work and are delighted that his contribution has been recognised through this award.”

James commented, “I never thought I would win, but I was really honoured that Breathing Space had nominated me.  I was a bit worried about going to the ceremony in London because the last time I was there, eight years ago, was when I became really unwell.  In the end, it was my mum that persuaded me to go and I’m so glad she did.  Winning the award has brought home to me the importance of what I do.  I believe we are making a difference and if you had said to me eight years ago that my mental illness would have taken me on this journey, I would not have believed you.  I’m proud that I’m involved.  I’m looking forward to doing more work with ‘see me’ and Breathing Space in the future.”