Suzie Vestri, Campaign Director at ‘see me’, the Scottish mental health anti-stigma campaign, said: “'see me' welcomes the launch of the ‘Time To Change’ campaign and its determination to make progress against the high level of stigma in England. There is no doubt that tackling the stigma and discrimination of mental ill-health is a complex task but together we can continue to make good progress. Our two national campaigns have formed strong relationships already with an awareness that both countries can learn from each other's work.
“At this point in time 'see me' can offer evidence that well-funded and multi-faceted campaigns really do make a difference to public attitudes. Since 'see me' was launched there has been an 18% fall in the number of people in Scotland who say that they would not want anyone else to know if they had a mental health problem; and a 'see me' survey, in 2007, found 85% of people with mental health problems said they now felt more able to be open than they did before the campaign.
“The daily stigma faced by people with mental health problems is unjust, it is hurtful and it can prevent people from seeking the help they need to recover. There is much still to be done to address this but by working together and taking a stand, I firmly believe we can make a real difference to people’s lives.”
ENDS
For more information please call Rebecca Charles or Katrina Muir at Smarts on 0131 561 0401/ 07855 331 779.
Notes to Editors
About ‘see me’:
• 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 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.