Scotland’s ground-breaking ‘see me’ mental health anti-stigma campaign has announced the appointment of Suzie Vestri as Campaign Director.

With four years experience as Deputy Campaign Director and a further year as acting Campaign Director, Vestri takes up the post having already played a pivotal role in steering the award winning campaign to internationally recognised success.

As Campaign Director, Vestri now heads up the eight-strong campaign team, with responsibility for overall strategic planning and management of campaign activity.

‘see me’ 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).

Commenting on the appointment, Chair of the ‘see me’ Alliance, Charlie McMillan of SAMH said: “Suzie’s appointment to Campaign Director is testament to the valuable contribution she has already made during her time at ‘see me’ to date. We are confident that her knowledgeable and considered approach will enable the campaign to continue to go from strength to strength.”

Suzie Vestri added: “Being given the chance to run ‘see me’ really is the best job in the world.  Scotland is a world leader in tacking the stigma and discrimination of mental ill-health and that’s largely down to the efforts of ‘see me’ and all the people who’ve got involved right across Scotland; from Shetland to Stranraer.  ‘see me’ has started to make a real difference in the way that the Scottish public treats the 1 in 4 of us with mental health problems.  It’s a challenge to try to build on the work so far – but one I’m going to love doing.”

Prior to joining the ‘see me’ campaign in 2003, Vestri held a variety of management posts at the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations.

ENDS

For more information, an interview with Suzie Vestri or a head and shoulders shot, please contact Ann Rowe, Katrina Muir or Rebecca Charles at Smarts on 0131 561 0401.

Notes to Editors:


Suzie Vestri – short CV

November 2008 Campaign Director, ‘see me’
2007 – 2008 acting Campaign Director 'see me'
2003 - 2007  Deputy Campaign Director 'see me'
2000 - 2004  Consultancy Manager, Scottish Federation of Housing Associations
1998 - 2000  Training and Conference Manager, Scottish Federation of Housing Associations
1994 - 1998   Training & Events Officer, Scottish Federation of Housing Associations
1990 - 1994  Development & Training Officer, NUS Scotland
1989 - 1990  Training Officer, NUS UK