Student Film Bid To End Stigma Of Mental Ill-Health

A Glasgow college is battling to remove the stigma of mental health problems. Students have made a hard-hitting short film designed to encourage sufferers to seek help and advice.

The five-minute film shows 100 students from Glasgow Nautical College coming together and moving apart to show how common it is to overlook someone in need of help. The students deliver short messages to camera explaining simple ways of maintaining good mental health.

One in five people suffers mental health problems and around seven in 10 will have a family member or friend suffering from depression at any one time.

The video was produced by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde as part of the South-East Psychological Service (STEPS). The project will be followed up by a tour of city schools and colleges as part of a new training programme that aims to educate adults and children about mental health.

Clinical psychologist Jim White said: “Many people think they can’t come forward because of the stigma attached. The chances of suffering from problems such as depression and anxiety are high so people should not be afraid to seek advice and help.”

A 12-step guide to mental wellbeing can be found by logging on to the Glasgow STEPS website.