Taking Over the Train Station for Mental Health
Posted by See Me, 30 September 2015
SCOTLAND’S most famous railway station is to host an interactive art project aiming make mental health an easier topic for conversation.
The Conversations for Change project has been all over Edinburgh since January, creating conversations on mental health in unexpected places, including a phone box on the Royal Mile.
On October 3rd the Conversations for Change team, made up of artists and people with first-hand experience of mental health conditions, will take over Platform two of the Capital’s Waverley Train Station.
Between 12pm and 6pm, people coming, going or waiting on the platform will be invited to take part in a conversation about mental health.
With all their previous interventions, each conversation has been unique, dependant on the individuals present and in the moment. There will be no requirement for people to talk about personal issues, but anyone is invited to come down and take part.
The project is being run by artist Pam van de Brug with the Consultation and Advocacy Promotion Service [CAPS], who provide independent advocacy for people using mental health services.
It was funded by See Me as part of our Community Innovation Fund.
This provides money and support to projects which can tackle stigma in workplaces, in health and social care, with children and young people, in minority groups and in the general public.
Miss van de Brug, from Edinburgh, said: “The project is led by a team of people who have lived experience of mental health issues.
“Since January 2015 they have been generating conversations on the topic, in as many everyday places and situations in the community as they can. The aim of their work is to help make mental health an easier topic for everyday conversation.
“They have held interventions in many places – an arts festival, Edinburgh Central Mosque, Chancellor’s Building at The Royal Infirmary, in Scottish Parliament building, the Meadows, a church, a red telephone box, a cafe and on the streets of Edinburgh. So far they have had 729 conversations.
“They hope that this next stage of their work will generate many more interesting, relevant and meaningful dialogues.”
Judith Robertson, See Me programme director, said: “Funding community projects which can directly challenge stigma is vitally important for us.
“Through the Community Innovation Fund we can support community groups to target the stigma in areas they know best, building a movement to tackle mental health stigma.
“We are really excited to see what the Conversations for Change team have planned for this final event, as with their other events it is sure to be something special.”
Further information: www.conversationsforchange.scot
More information and application packs for See Me funding can be found our website here.