Tackling stigma
Jim backs mental health awareness bid
Stonehouse man Jim Smith is backing a week-long campaign to tackle mental health discrimination across Lanarkshire.
Almost a quarter of a century ago he left for work, not thinking his life was about to change forever.
He was working on a construction site in Glasgow when a forklift truck ran over him in a horrific accident.
The dad was dragged under the vehicle as the wheels caught the bottom of his jeans, pulling him under.
At one point he was taking 72 tablets per day, his weight rocketed to more than 20 stones, leaving him with weight-related diabetes, and he also turned to alcohol – drinking three bottles of vodka a night for eight years. Jim developed ulcers on his feet because of the weight gain caused by taking steroids as a result of his accident.
In September 2014, surgeons took the decision to amputate his right leg, then his left in June 2015. He has experienced difficulties with mental health through his adult life but this week he was helping the Lanarkshire Recovery Network (LRN).
The charity have been tackling mental health stigma in health and social care settings, to give staff an increased awareness, and make sure the treatment of people with mental health problems is as good as it can be.
Jim said: “It’s a great thing. In my experiences, I have been brushed aside and ended up in intensive care because I wasn’t taken seriously because of my mental health. There are a lot of brilliant staff, but many of them are too stretched when it comes to mental health.”
LRN are spearheading an anti-stigma partnership that includes community groups, NHS Lanarkshire, North and South Lanarkshire Councils, North and South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnerships and national anti-stigma organisation See Me.
Hairmyres Hospital hosted teaching sessions, guest talks for staff and an information stall. And this Friday, September 29, staff and patients will be joined by other health and social care providers and users for a Walk a Mile awareness event.
Linda Findlay, associate medical director of the South Lanarkshire Health & Care Partnership, said: “I am excited to be involved in Hairmyres Hospitals’ Stigma Free Lanarkshire Event.
“This is the first of its kind in Lanarkshire, and possibly in Scotland, where mental health stigma is being tackled on an acute hospital site through a collaboration between local user and carer organisations, See Me and local health care staff. Together we can make a difference.”
Calum Irving, See Me director, said: “We all have mental health and it impacts on every aspect of our lives, including where we live, learn, work and receive care, but when we struggle with our mental health we often face stigma and discrimination. So it’s fantastic to see the continued work which makes Lanarkshire one of the real leaders in tackling stigma.”