On the ball for cash lift Human rights top agenda for talks

Mental health community in bid for change

PEOPLE with mental health conditions are dying younger, being denied opportunities in work and experiencing discrimination socially.

Scotland’s mental health community will come together in Glasgow tomorrow for a landmark conference to discuss these issues and ensure they lead in defining what the future of mental health looks like.

The Rights for Life event, from See Me, the Scottish Recovery Network (SRN) and Voices of eXperience (VOX), wants to mobilise the mental health communi- ty to help them gain greater access to their rights.

According to the organisers, the event, which will see more than 60 speakers from all over the world, has come at a vital time, with the newly elected Conservative Government considering replacing the Human Rights Act.

Statistics from the Royal College of Psychiatrists show that on average people with mental health problems die five to ten years younger than the general population.

A recent survey from See Me has found that 48 per cent of Scottish workers think someone in their work would be unlikely to disclose a mental health problem for fear of losing their job.

Meanwhile, the Scottish Social Attitudes survey also found that the amount of people who think those with mental health problems should have the same human rights as anyone else is dropping, from 88 per cent in 2002, to 82 per cent last year.

Simon Bradstreet, director of SRN, said: “We want to mobilise people to help improve the lives of those who are already struggling financially and socially, who now find their rights are also under attack.

“We firmly believe helping people to realise the rights they already have, and to challenge injustices, will help make recovery more possible.”

The conference will have a focus on how people can continue to have an adequate standard of living during austerity, with benefits and vital community services being cut.

Judith Robertson, See Me programme director, said: “We want to give voice to people with direct experience of mental health problems to define what the future of mental health looks like. This is important.”

Dr Heather Stuart, the Bell Canada Mental Health and Anti-Stigma Research Chair, who is the keynote speaker at the conference, said: “The stigma that surrounds mental illnesses robs individuals of their civic and human rights, things that the rest of us take for granted such as a friend, a safe and secure home, and a job.”

Rights affecting people in education, work and the health care system will also be discussed.

Helping people to realise their rights ... will help boost recovery