PALMER PEDALS HARD TO DRIVE STIGMA OUT OF SCOTLAND
- ‘see me’ sponsored cycle from Lands End to John O’Groats -
This Saturday (27 June) Tom Palmer, a mental health nurse from the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, will embark upon the journey of a lifetime as he sets off from Lands End on his 1,000 mile journey north to John O’Groats.
Tom will be joined on his expedition by cycling buddy, Donnie Duncanson. Both Tom and Donnie, originally from the Highlands, will be using pedal power to raise awareness for ‘see me’ – Scotland’s national campaign to end stigma and discrimination around mental ill-health - while raising sponsorship for Birchwood Highland, a charity dedicated to the independence, inclusion and recovery of some of the Highland's most vulnerable adults and young people.
Tom is keen to drive home the ‘see me’ message to Scotland’s people in pursuit of a Scotland in which all people with mental health problems are fully equal and included.
Speaking ahead of his trip Tom says: “As a mental health nurse I have first hand knowledge of the way in which stigma and discrimination can impact on people who are already struggling with to live with mental health problems.
“So many of my patients could do with having a strong support network but they tell me that their peers just don’t seem to know how to respond in a way which is helpful. In my experience people want to help but because people don’t understand the conditions, they fear that they might get it wrong or actually make things worse.”
Suzie Vestri, ‘see me’ Campaign Director says: “Tom is only too aware of the harm which stigma can cause. In fact, sometimes the unintentional discrimination from family, friends and colleagues can be more damaging than living with the condition itself.
“Whilst Scotland’s attitude towards mental ill-health is moving in the right direction we still have a long way to go to change public understanding, attitudes and behaviours to ensure that the stigma and discrimination associated with mental ill-health is eliminated completely. Efforts like Tom’s sponsored cycle from Lands End to John O’ Groats are really appreciated as they help to break down these barriers and positively influence public opinion and we wish him well on his way!”
You can track Tom and Donnie’s progress and pledge your support through their Facebook and sponsorship pages: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1786193892&ref=name or http://www.justgiving.com/seemecycle/