An Update from 'see me' - September 2011

Welcome!

This has been a busy summer for ‘see me’ as we’ve been planning and preparing for our autumn activities.  It’s been an exciting time!  We’ve also welcomed a new member of staff, Ailsa, to our admin team and we hope some of you will get to meet her soon.

We have lots of dates for your diary and activities for everyone to get involved in!

Get your FREE new materials

The 'see me' team has been updating our materials and now there are lots of new posters, postcards and leaflets you can order from our website.  All materials and postage are free within the UK. 

New images include two new posters and postcards using the ‘see me’ I’m still dad and ‘see me’ I’m still your friend images as well as new postcards showing some of the finalist entries in our recent photo competitions.  We also have a new wallet card ‘see me’ I’m okay with mental health and support tips and a leaflet about stigma and the ‘see me’ campaign available.  These would all make a great display for Scottish Mental Health Week.  Order our materials here!

'see me' in Scottish Mental Health Week      

Scottish Mental Health Week (SMHW) runs from Monday the 10th to Sunday the 16th of October inclusive.  This year World Mental Health day kicks off SMHW on 10th October. Here’s how you can get involved. 

We will shortly be recruiting volunteers for a fun stunt on World Mental Health Day – keep a look out (especially on our facebook and twitter!) if you are interested in giving us some time that day. 

We aim to have at least 250 ‘see me’ stalls run across Scotland during Mental Health Week.  We’re sending out a limited edition ‘Stall In A Box’ which includes fun new materials and an interactive activity to ‘Stick It To Stigma’.  For those of you who weren't fortunate enough to bag one of these while they were available, remember you can still order free stall materials from ‘see me’.  It would also be great if everyone could take photo’s of their stalls and email them to us:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
One of our key aims for this year is to get people talking about mental health.  We believe that talking about mental illness is much easier of you’re part of a group or organisation that is in the habit of talking about mental health. 
All of our 300 pledge signatories will be sent a “‘see me’ for tea” information pack encouraging them to make the time to look after each other’s mental health.
We aim to create the opportunity for 8000 conversations in mental health week and we want all of our supporters to be involved. We will be sending out two ‘see me’ I’m a supporter badges to arrive before the 10th of October – one for you and one to give to a friend to show how much you appreciate the support they give you.  Imagine – 16,000 people wearing support badges on World Mental Health Day!

'see me' in Dumfries 

‘see me’ is holding a regional meeting at the Cairndale Hotel and Leisure Club in Dumfries on Monday the 26th of September.

This meeting will start with a see me’ update followed by two presentations from local groups showcasing their anti-stigma work. The day will finish with a group discussion to promote and plan local anti-stigma activities. If you live/work in Dumfries & Galloway and are interested in attending or would like more information please follow the links below:
Agenda
Local Grants Scheme

‘see me’ is running our Local Grants Scheme again in 2011. Applications opened on the 1st of August and will close at  the 6pm on Tuesday the 6th September.  Good luck to everyone who has applied! We will be in touch with the successful applicants towards the end of October.
'see me' I'm Speaking Out

In June we held our first training as part of our Speakers’ Bureau expansion. It was a great success and we would like to thank those who took part. If you would like to find out more about the Speakers’ Bureau please click here.

If you are interested in becoming a ‘see me’ Volunteer Speaker or would be interested in having a speaker come to your workplace, community, sporting or other group please contact Becky at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

Beyond Prejudice DVD

The Beyond Prejudice DVD was developed in partnership with VOX and GAMH. The DVD is part of the Mosaics of Meaning programme, and focuses on mental health, stigma and recovery among black and minority ethnic communities.

A copy of Beyond Prejudice can be downloaded from our website here. ‘see me’ is extremely proud to have been involved in this project and would very much recommend everyone watch the film.

Coming soon: ‘see me’ will be hosting a Mosaics of Meaning microsite on behalf of all the Mosaics of Meaning partners to promote the huge amount of work that has been done between 2005-2011. The site is almost up and running and we will let you know when this new website is ready.
Children & Young People: Update

Our new Children and Young People campaign is aimed at young people who are 13 – 15.  Work is nearing completion and will be ready to roll out into schools and youth groups in the autumn.  The campaign will include a DVD and curriculum pack and we are delighted with the response that we’ve had from schools so far.
We will keep you up to date with how you can access and promote this exciting new part of the ‘see me’ campaign in later newsletters.
'see me' in the Parliament

Following the sucess of last year’s event, we have an exhibition booked in to the Parliament from the 13th – 15th of September. 

We are delighted that Humza Yousaf MSP has agreed to host a reception for 'see me'. 

The aim of our presence in the Parliament is to showcase the winning entries from our creative writing and photography competitions, as well as giving us chance to update MSPs on our plans for the next three years.

 
Creative Writing Anthology

The entries of the shortlisted finalists of our highly successful Creative Writing and Photography competitions held during 2010 have been compiled into an anthology which we expect to be ready mid-September. 

We are very excited about this and are looking forward to seeing ‘see me’s first official publication!

Thank you for your continued support for the campaign.
- Suzie Vestri, Campaign Director

Follow Us on Twitter    

‘see me’ is now on Twitter, so please do follow us and you’ll be the first to hear of our news! Go easy on us though as we are still learning….

http://twitter.com/seemescotland

Engage with Us on Facebook   

Join our Facebook group now, and talk to us and to others who are committed to ending the stigma of mental ill-health. Invite your friends to join us too! 

Become a 'see me' FAN on Facebook!
 

Resources     

  • Do you want a 'see me' stall at your event?  If so, please contact us
  • Report stigma in the media