SAMH was founded in 1923 to provide support to the
wide network of Local Associations for mental health. In those
early days, the Local Associations represented the interests of
people with learning difficulties, as well as those with mental
health problems.
There is no record of SAMH's activities from
then until the mid 1950s, but the Annual Reports of the 50's and
60's indicate that there were a high number of medical
practitioners amongst office bearers, and activities centred on
public education through lectures, courses and conferences.
SAMH reconstituted in 1976 and developed its
role as a political pressure group, and concentrated its activities
on representing the interests of people with mental health
problems. The campaigning side of the organisation is very much at
the forefront of our activities today.
In 1983 SAMH opened its first service, Sprout
Market Garden; a horticultural project where people with mental
health problems could gain work experience. The following year,
SAMH's first Supported Accommodation project was
set up in Livingston, West Lothian. It is hard to believe that as
recently as 1984, SAMH only employed three members
of staff.
There followed a period of gradual and steady growth in the
organisation until 1988. At this time a combination of Sir
Roy Griffith's report on care in the community and the
introduction of the Employment Training Programme, saw the
organisation embark on a period of exponential growth. Later,
SAMH successfully secured substantial European
Social Fund monies, which combined with the introduction of the
NHS and Community Care Act, permitted the
organisation to continue to develop new services.
Today, SAMH provides community based services
for over 3000 people across Scotland, offering support, training
and recovery for those experiencing mental health problems,
addictions, homelessness and other forms of social exclusion.