Be there. Be yourself this Christmas.

With the season of good will upon us many people throughout Scotland will be looking forward to celebrating the festivities with their friends and family. However, for some people experiencing mental health problems Christmas is often a time where they feel more isolated and stigmatised than ever.

 

The effects of stigma and discrimination are often exacerbated over the Christmas period when people's feelings of isolation, panic, stress or depression can be more keenly felt, leading to increased emotional distress.

One in four Scots will experience mental health problems, which means that if it doesn't happen to you it will happen to someone you know. Support from family and friends is the single most important factor in recovery from a mental health problem. It's often the simple things that you do which make a real difference to those people experiencing mental health problems.

This Christmas the ‘see me' campaign is urging friends and family to be supportive of their loved ones experiencing mental health problems.

How to help

  • Ask if there are any particular ways in which you can help your friend/family member and really listen to their individual circumstances and how they feel.
  • Offer to help by running errands during the Christmas season, but try not to patronise them or make the person feel that they can't manage.
  • Try and keep active. Why not suggest going for a walk after Christmas dinner to help feel refreshed and revitalised? Physical activity can help boost your overall well-being.
  • If you know that someone is going to be on their own, why not encourage them to plan a special day for themselves - by making a special dinner or watching their favourite movies.
  • Being with people and interacting is crucial. Reassure your friend that you still care about them and include them in your Christmas plans. Why not give them a call or invite them round for pre/post Christmas nibbles? If your friend doesn't feel able to accept, reassure and re-invite them without being over bearing.
  • Take some ‘time out' together. Have a complete break from Christmas by doing something relaxing, enjoyable, or completely new.
  • Be sensible around alcohol as this can often act as a depressant. Why not suggest a trip to the cinema to watch a ‘feel good' Christmas movie instead of going to the pub?
  • Work towards a shared goal like wrapping Christmas presents or preparing Christmas dinner to ensure that everyone feels as though they have a role to play in the celebrations.
  • The key to a happy Christmas isn't the tree, the gifts, the food or someone else's idea of the perfect day. It's about finding your own way with your friends and family and celebrating in a way which works for you.
  • If a friend needs immediate help, ask what kind of help they would need and respond immediately.

Visit www.seemescotland.org for more information on how to support someone with a mental health problem

-ends-

For further information please contact the ‘see me' press office at Smarts:

Rebecca Charles or Katrina Muir on 0131 561 0401

Notes to editors

  • The ‘see me' anti-stigma campaign is run by an alliance of five Scottish mental health organisations: Highland Users Group (HUG), Support in Mind (Scotland), Penumbra, Royal College of Psychiatrists (Scottish Division) and Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH).
  • ‘see me' is funded by the Scottish Government.
  • The ‘see me' campaign features a programme of events and local and national initiatives to reduce the stigma and discrimination 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, discrimination, mental health problems and support services in Scotland.