Getting Support From Others
Use the resources in this toolkit and on our website (www.seemescotland.org) to give you the facts and information you need.
This toolkit can help youto make a case for action, whether it is with politicians, civil servants, directors of health or local authority services, head teachers, employers, neighbours, young people, older adults, families or communities. The case studies, power point slides and fact sheets will provide you with the information that will help you make your case for support.
Whether you are meeting someone on a 1 to 1 basis or presenting to a group, the following points are useful for you to consider when thinking about getting people on board:
- Know exactly what you want from those who you are trying get involved.
- Identify people who can support your case.
- Take a supportive and positive approach.
- Make a clear case why your audience should get involved. Keep it clear and simple. This should include:
- 1. Tailoring your case to your audience i.e. young people, teachers, employers, public services or ‘funders’.
- 2. Highlighting what benefits there will be in getting involved.
- 3. Showing how challenging stigma is linked to your audience’s agenda.
- 4. Highlighting what support is available for those who wish to get involved.
- 5. Giving people the chance to discuss their thoughts and feelings about getting involved.
- 6. Agree specific action and outcomes.
The ‘see me’ Pledge
‘see me’ has a Pledge programme running in a number of areas of Scotland. The Pledge programme invites organisations or groups to sign a pledge, and in doing so commit to: “… work as part of the ‘see me...’ campaign to challenge the stigma associated with mental ill health, and to eliminate the discrimination experienced by people with mental health problems”.
This has been a very effective way of getting organisations involved. See the Pledge fact sheet for further information.