CIC Mental Health Forum - Scotland.


What is the Scottish Mental Health Forum all about?


Teresa: The Forum is there to help promote the good mental health of CIC staff and service users, as well as playing a part in challenging the stereotypes surrounding mental ill-health.


In July last year, CIC signed the ‘See Me…’ pledge – Scotland’s national campaign to end the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental ill-health. In doing so, we publically committed to creating a plan of action which would enable us to make a significant contribution to this important cause. Over the past 12 months, CIC’s Scottish Mental Health Forum – who were responsible for organising the pledge signing - have been busy putting their ideas into action. Here, You First catches up with Teresa Fraser, the Forum's Chairperson and Jenny Duncan, from South William Street in Perth, one of the Forum’s most passionate members, to find out more...


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for people to get together, share their experiences and get some support from other people, who genuinely know what they’re going through. As well as this, it’s also an opportunity to feed back to the senior management within CIC, telling them how we think CIC could change or do better in terms of improving the mental health support it offers to service users and staff.


Jenny, you have been a dedicated supporter of the Forum since its inception. What made you want to get involved?


Jenny: I have had a long term mental health problem, Schizophrenia, for over 30 years. Before I joined CIC I had spent many years in and out of hospital and it was only when I came to live at South William Street that things began to change for me. I feel that CIC and its staff have given me so much, the least I can do is try and give something back by sharing my experiences and hopefully, helping other people in the process.


What has the Forum been doing since signing the ‘See Me…’ pledge?


Teresa: The signing of the pledge was an important step for us, as it really helped us focus our efforts and gave us the opportunity to create our own action plan. One of our main aims was to increase


awareness of mental well-being within CIC, and so we have been busy raising the profile of the Forum and trying to educate people, though regional and team meeting and events. During Scottish Mental Health week we also organised a ‘See Me Tea’ – an afternoon tea party where people could take five minutes to just relax, chat, and catch up. As well as this, we have also put a lot of effort into improving the mental health training given to all staff and we are pleased with the progress we have made with this goal.


What are the Forum’s plans for the year ahead?


Teresa: Communication is going to be key for us, as we want to be able to spread our message far and wide. We’d really like to get a volunteer from the CIC community who would be happy to keep our intranet page up-to-date, as well as write and publish a mental health news blog for us. Events, both at a local and national level will be important and we’d like to work on building better partnerships with other mental health providers in Scotland. More staff training is definitely on the agenda and of course, increasing the Forum’s membership.


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Is it only people from CIC’s mental health services that can get involved?


Jenny: Absolutely not! Anyone, no matter what their individual circumstances or challenges, can face mental health issues at some point in their lives. For example, people with physical disabilities often feel isolated or cut off from the outside world and this can lead to depression. Many people with learning difficulties are also affected by mental health issues too. Peer support and encouragement can be a source of great comfort and our doors are open to anyone who wants to come along.


Jenny relaxes at home


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