Call for people who have or have had complex mental illness to take part in survey to help improve services in Scotland
Researchers are calling on people who have or have had a complex mental illness to take part in a survey that could help improve support and services in Scotland.
Participants will be asked to share their views and experiences of stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health.
The survey, which has been described as the first of its kind, is being led by Mental Health Foundation Scotland, in partnership with Glasgow Caledonian University and See Me, Scotland's national programme to end mental health stigma and discrimination.
Researchers will analyse the data collected and said they hope to use it to shape policy, support and services in Scotland to improve the lives of those with mental illnesses.
Wendy Halliday, director of Seeme,said:"thescottishmental Illness Stigma Survey will allow us, for the first time ever, to build a more complete pictureofthestigmaanddiscrimination that those with the most serious,complexmentalhealth conditions in Scotland face.
"This is a really exciting piece of work, with real potential to make a difference for thousands of people."
Liam Rankin, from East Kilbride,
has spoken about the stigma he has faced since being diagnosed with schizophrenia at the age of 16.
Mr Rankin, 53, said: "I've had some people react really negatively to me – I used to coach a kids' football team and when one of the dads found out about my mental health, he challenged me. He said I wasn't safe to be working with kids. Recently, I had to go to accident and emergency after hurting myselfandadoctortoldmethat I was wasting their resources because I'd done this to myself."
He said sharing people's experiences of stigma surrounding mentalcanhelppromptchange , adding; "More serious mental health problems are still hugely stigmatised in society, in the media,inbooksandinfilms,but thissurveywillshowwhatlifeis really like."
Lee Knifton, director of the Mental Health Foundation in Scotland and Northern Ireland, said: "The findings of the Scottish Mental Illness Stigma Survey will help us build an essential evidence base that will shape our priorities, and that of the Scottish Government more broadly, in the years to come.”