Call to join Walk a Mile in the Borders in effort to tackle mental health stigma

Posted by See Me, 17 July 2023

Organisations and services across the Scottish Borders are teaming up to help locals feel “less alone” and start a conversation around mental health.

The Peebles Walk a Mile event this August is being organised by See Me volunteer Bridget Dickson, to reassure people that there is support available – and tackle the stigma that still exists around mental health.

Taking place on Saturday 5 August, the event is a joined-up effort among various local organisations that work to advocate for mental health.

Walk a Mile sees participants paired up to undertake a mile-long walk and have a chat about mental health, using some prompts supplied by See Me, the national programme to end mental health stigma and discrimination.

Bridget, from Peebles, and who has been volunteering with See Me since 2016, said she hopes the walk will offer people who might be struggling with their mental health, or someone they know who is struggling, a chance to come across support, make them feel less alone and address stigma.

She said: “I really want people to come along and see what support there is in Peebles.

“The Walk a Mile brings together hugely diverse groups – all who are just waiting to be supportive.

“There’ll be no pressure to have any sort of big conversation on the day. For example, if somebody is caring for someone and they need to find an outlet – for themselves or for whoever they’re caring for – this is an ideal place to come.

“I used to be one of the people who used to think there was no support and I was all on my own. I want other people to find a place, service or support that lets them know they’re not on their own.”

Bridget will be joined by Borders in Recovery, Depressed Cake Shop, Greener Peebles, Dementia Friendly Peebles, Nomad Beat and national charity SupportED.

Freda Douglas, who represents Depressed Cake Shop and is a trustee of Inspiring Life: Evie Douglas Memorial Fund, said: “As a survivor of bereavement by suicide I want to reach out to others. Events like Walk a Mile are so important to me. It’s a safe space to express feelings and experiences, and most important, to seek support and advice.”

Iona MacTaggart, community engagement coordinator for SupportED, said: "As Scotland's community eating disorder charity, we find it so valuable to get out and about and meet people to better understand the wide range of experiences.

“By sharing stories and meeting people, we can foster community connectedness which is one of the best ways to combat stigma and discrimination. Eating disorders are very misunderstood and we find that open and honest conversations are the best way to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions. I look forward to meeting all the different people and hope to have lots of interesting and thought-provoking conversations about all aspects of mental health.”

Dementia Friendly Tweeddale chairperson, Christine Drummond, said she is keen to “seize every opportunity” to spread the message that dementia need not be “the end of the world”.

She added: “Lots of people are proving that it can be possible to live well, with the right support and understanding. Sometimes even small changes to the environment, or to the way we do things, can make a huge difference. To help with making those changes, we'd like everyone in our community to sign up for  one of the very short, fun Alzheimer's Scotland ‘Dementia Friends’ sessions.”

See Me director Wendy Halliday said: “It’s inspiring to hear communities coming together to remind everyone that there is support and help out there.

“Getting people walking and talking in their communities is just one way we can challenge mental health stigma and discrimination. It’s through working together like this that we can make stigma a thing of the past.”

The event will take place on Saturday 5 August, with attendees invited to gather at the McFarlane Hall at the back of Peebles Church. Doors will open at 10am, with the walk starting at 11am. To find out more about the event, contact Bridget at bridgetinpeebles@sky.com.

Walk a Mile was created by See Me, in collaboration with campaigner Chris McCullouch Young.