‘See Me’ Calls On Scottish Organisations To Do More

New research released by ‘see me’, reveals that Scotland has taken significant steps towards tackling the stigma of mental ill health. The findings are contained in ‘A Fairer Future: Building Understanding – Moving Forward Together’.

The report presents the findings of the first major survey of the extent, nature and impact of stigma and discrimination on individuals with experience of mental ill health and those closest to them.

It paints a picture of a Scotland more aware and accepting of mental health problems than before the ‘see me’ campaign was set up in 2002.  But it also exposes continuing problems with stigma and discrimination, particularly within family and friends, the community, in employment and in services.  

The ‘Hear Me’ survey, was the most extensive of its kind carried out in the UK into the views and experiences of those affected by mental ill health. It reveals that since the launch of the ‘see me’ campaign:

• Over one in three people (38%) felt that their own direct personal experience of stigma had improved
• Some two-thirds of respondents (66%) believed that stigma and discrimination in society generally in Scotland had improved either a lot or a little
• The majority of respondents (85%) felt able to be more open and talk about their mental health problems
• Over half of people (52%) claimed that ‘see me’ had been very important in confronting the stigma of mental ill-health
• Most respondents (63%) felt that ‘see me’ had made a difference to how people with mental health problems feel about themselves

 Pru Davis, Glasgow, who has first hand experience of stigma said: “I remember my mum used to whisper words like ‘mad’ or ‘psychiatric’ because she couldn’t say them out loud.  I’m sure it was a generational thing and thankfully she’s much more clued up now. In fact I think a lot of people are clued up now thanks to the anti-stigma activity in Scotland, led by ‘see me.’”
 
Whilst it seems that Scotland is moving in the right direction, it is important not to be complacent. The survey found that 81% of respondents had personally experienced stigma or discrimination at some point since 2002 as a result of their mental health problem. Of those who had experienced stigma, over three quarters (77%) had done so on more than one occasion and 30% had experienced stigma on at least four separate occasions.
 
According to the research, people with mental health problems mainly experience stigma in situations that are personal or unavoidable. Stigma prevails in situations with friends and family (53%) and the workplace (46%), two areas where many people would expect to receive support and understanding. In addition, people face a constant dilemma about whether to be open about their mental ill health. Fear of stigma holds back 83% of respondents with mental health problems leading them to avoid certain situations to minimise the risk of negative reactions from other people.
 
Jen Muir, Arbroath said: “Stigma hurts. I’ve had to experience it and I’ve managed to move on. There’s no need for stigma. People need to think how they would like it if they were stigmatised for something that’s not their fault.”
 
‘see me’ Campaign Director, Linda Dunion said: “Previous research suggests that in Scotland public attitudes towards mental health problems have been improving.  But changing attitudes is a means to an end. Our aim is to change the way that people with experience of mental ill health are treated. Our research now shows that this is beginning to happen.
 
“This is good news but we know that there is no room for complacency.  Too many people still face stigma and discrimination because of mental health problems.  Negative attitudes continue to damage people’s confidence, life chances and recovery prospects. The challenge now is to enlist the help of a broad spectrum of Scottish society in taking the ‘see me’ campaign forward. We want to see anti-stigma measures adopted as an integral element of areas such as employment policies, service-provision, education, equalities, social inclusion and employability. It is time to shift the pace of change up a gear to achieve a stigma-free Scotland.”