Minister backs call for mental health awareness

A LOCAL author and mental health campaigner’s call to have workplaces and schools open up about mental health has been backed by a Scottish minister.

Tina McGuff, 48, said there is still a “huge amount” of stigma around mental health in schools, workplaces and communities, ahead of World Mental Health Day today.

The author of “Seconds To Snap” has battled anorexia and now campaigns for awareness group See Me, which is encouraging people to speak openly about their own difficulties.

Tina said: “Due to the way I was viewed when I experienced anorexia, and the way I heard others outside the ward talk about people with mental health issues, I then spent almost 20 years not telling anyone.

“When I finally plucked up the courage to tell my children what I had been through, they encouraged me to tell others and write about it.

“I can now speak of my experience and show some others that the views they have of people suffering with mental health issues are completely incorrect and can, in fact, be very unhelpful in others’ recovery.

“By lifting the lid on the conditions it can only help raise awareness and reduce stigma.”

Her comments were backed by Maureen Watt, Scottish Government minister for mental health, who said: “For all of us, positive attitudes to mental health can have a really helpful impact on the people around us.

“See Me has been vital in efforts over the last several years to promote improved attitudes to mental health and mental illness and, as we have said in our mental health strategy, we will ensure its work continues and develops.”

World Mental Health Day takes place on October 10 every year. The theme for 2017 is “mental health in the workplace”.

Tina McGuff