'see me' Pledge gathers momentum
East Lothian Council and local employers have joined together to challenge the stigma associated with mental ill-health by signing the 'see me' pledge.
Depute Provost Roger Knox and Chief Executive Alan Blackie signed the pledge on behalf of East Lothian Council, which was also signed by Suzie Vestri, acting Campaign Director of 'see me'. The pledge sees East Lothian Council commit to work as part of the national 'see me' campaign to eliminate the stigma and discrimination experienced by people with mental health problems.
Representatives from Torness Power Station, East Lothian Housing Association and the MS Society also signed the 'see me' pledge on behalf of their own organisations.
The signing ceremony took place at Port Seton Community Centre on 6 October 2008 to mark the start of Mental Health Week.
Cllr. Knox said: “Just over one in four people will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives and most of us will know someone who has had experience of mental ill health. However many people are reluctant to tell others if they experience a mental health problem because of a perception that they may be discriminated against because of ignorance about the illnesses.
“Recovery from mental ill-health is greatly helped by support from friends and family and the See Me campaign is an important step forward in challenging misperceptions and myths about mental illness. The fact that we have moved some considerable way forward in recent years in addressing this issue does not mean that we do not still have some way to go. It is up to every individual to help dispel the lingering but widespread misunderstandings which hold back the progress to ensuring that everyone affected by mental illness can reclaim their place in society”
Commenting on the significance of the pledge signing, 'see me's acting Campaign Director, Suzie Vestri said: “East Lothian is served by a Council, a housing association and other key organisations which are committed to the mental wellbeing of local people. Each of us have ‘mental health’ and it’s vital that we include and support those whose mental health can be poor at times. We can all play a part as individuals to stamp out stigma; and the backing of organisations and employers can help that to happen. All of us in East Lothian can take a lead and help improve people’s lives in the communities where we live.”
Station director at Torness Power Station, Brian Cowell, said: “British Energy is pleased to be involved in this campaign. Anything that removes the stigma of mental health problems should be encouraged. At Torness we have full occupational health facilities available to our staff at all times and they provide support for all types of health issues. We are pleased to be able to support this campaign which will support the health of others.”
On the 3rd of October, Stevenson College Edinburgh also signed the Pledge. The pledge was signed by Suzie Vestri, acting Campaign Director and Brian Lister OBE, Principal and Chief Executive of the college.
Brian Lister commented, “It’s great to see the hard the work of Alma and her colleagues in the Mental Health Working Group being recognised in this way. As one of the largest further education colleges in Scotland, it is important that all of our staff and students have an understanding of mental health issues and a pledge like this demonstrates our commitment to equality and inclusiveness at Stevenson.”
By signing the Pledge, SCE have joined the growing number of educational institutions who have committed to challenging stigma and discrimination of mental ill-health.
Click here to view all 'see me' Pledge signatories