Nigel Henderson
Nigel Henderson is the Chief Executive of Penumbra and is on the the Management Group for the ‘see me’ anti-stigma campaign.
In late December 2000, four of us met to discuss how we could raise the profile of mental health issues in the Scottish Parliament. We quickly agreed that the subject of stigma and discrimination was an area of common concern. This was the beginning of our journey to create the ‘see me’ campaign, which became the first of the National Programme delivery ‘vehicles’. We developed a business plan and presented it to Malcolm Chisholm, the then minister for Health and Community Care, who gave the National Programme tremendous support. We dared to dream of a Scotland that would be free of the stigma of mental ill health by 2020. This was our 20:20 vision.
Much has been achieved and there is much still to do. Mental health and wellbeing is now a significant part of health, social care and social justice policy. The general public are more aware of mental health and ill health, particularly issues such as depression and anxiety. In mental health services we have seen people galvanised and invigorated by the subject of recovery and there is positive discussion and debate about the values that underpin our services and the culture of hope and aspiration that we need to create. Overall, a tremendous amount has been achieved which goes beyond what I would have imagined at the beginning of the National Programme.
I have been inspired by the stories and voices of the many people who have experienced mental illness who have shared their journeys of recovery with us. In particular, I feel very privileged to have attended the graduation ceremonies of the first two peer employment training courses. Hearing how people turned their lives around and found the hope and support to live a full and contributing life was very humbling and inspiring.
In the early days of the National Programme, some people said the money being spent on mental health improvement would be better spent on mental illness services. I found this frustrating as we can clearly evidence the longer term benefits for all by promoting mental health and wellbeing and it should not be a case of one or the other – both are important.
Another frustration is aspects of the media coverage of mental health and illness issues. In general the media have been very supportive of the messages about positive mental health and wellbeing. Many feature writers have contributed great stories – however news reporting on mental health and illness issues still seems to belong to a previous, darker age.
A mentally flourishing Scotland would be one where all people have the opportunity to develop resilience, balance and wellbeing. A Scotland that looks to celebrate people’s strengths and abilities and embraces people as the ‘experts in their own wellbeing’. A Scotland where nobody suffers stigma and discrimination on the grounds of mental ill health.
Three most important actions:
- A shared and owned vision
- Strong leadership (locally and nationally)
- Commitment and resources resources from local partners for action on mental wellbeing.
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