Speaking out will help us end mental health stigma
Paisley volunteer backs See Us movement and shares his story
A Paisley volunteer at a mental health charity is urging people to speak up if they are struggling as part of a national campaign.
Osama Nadeem has added his voice to the See Me Scotland’s new campaign - See Us - in a bid to end discrimination surrounding mental health.
Osama has struggled with his mental health since primary school as a result of racist bullying.
The 22-year-old says that stigma was one of the biggest barriers he faced when it came to asking for help – but that acts of kindness, and showing support, can make a huge difference for those who are struggling.
He said: “When I was in primary seven, I remember standing in the corner of the playground, and I started to cry as it all just got to me.
“Two girls who were in my year came over to me, and asked what was wrong.
“I didn’t want to say, but they wouldn’t leave me until I told them. Them coming to me helped – and that memory sticks with me.
“No one needs to be an expert to talk about mental health. If you’re struggling, just talking about it – talking about stigma, talking about how you’re feeling – can help a lot. That’s why this campaign is so important.”
People in Renfrewshire are now being encouraged to join forces and build on improved public perceptions of mental health as part of the new initiative by the charity.
A survey of over 2,000 people across the country, including 1,000 who have experienced mental health problems, found that more than half say that their own perceptions of people with mental health problems have improved in the last ten years.
The research, from See Me, Scotland’s programme to end mental health stigma and discrimination, also found 63 per cent think that perceptions of mental health had improved since the start of the pandemic.
The findings have been published at the launch of the new campaign asking Scotland to keep the momentum going.
See Us encourages people from all walks of life – whether they have experience of a mental health problem or not – to join the movement to end stigma, by getting involved in events, activities and speaking up to challenge outdated stereotypes.
While attitudes have improved, See Me says big changes are still needed in people’s behaviours.
Stigma and discrimination often prevent people from asking for help when they need it most – and can be the difference between life and death.
See Me director Wendy Halliday said: “For too long tackling mental health stigma has been seen as the responsibility of those who have experienced it.
“It’s time to move past Seeing Me, the person struggling, and for everyone to stand up and say, ‘See Us, we’re making a difference together.’
“Wherever you want to make a change, and however you want to do it, there is something for you in this movement.”
To help the people of Renfrewshire get involved and tackle mental health stigma and discrimination, See Me has launched a new home for the social movement on their website at seemescotland.org/ SeeUs, where you can access resources.
Join in the conversation on social media using #SeeMeSeeUs and help others to find out about the movement.