SAMH
campaigns for the development of legislation, policy and practice
that is based on the real life experiences of people with mental
health and related problems. In this section, you can learn about
SAMH's policy and campaigning work, your rights, and
how to get involved.
Mental health is about much more than
mental health problems. In fact, it's about our
wellbeing and has relevance to every aspect of our
lives. That's why SAMH has a voice
on a wide range of issues:
Alcohol
Children & Young
People
Criminal
Justice
Employment
Equality
Hate Crime
Human
Rights
Mental Health
Law
Mental Health
Services
Mental Health
Strategy for Scotland
Personalisation
Smoking
Stigma &
Discrimination
Suicide
Waiting
Times
Welfare/Benefits
2012 Scottish Local
Elections
If you have a concern regarding any aspect
of mental health policy, or want to join us in campaigning for
mental health, then there are a number of ways to make
YOUR voice
heard.
We all have rights to help protect us
from unfair treatment and discrimination - make sure that you know
YOUR rights.
Useful Contacts
- Action on
Depression can provide information on depression.
- Bipolar Fellowship Scotland provides support
for people diagnosed with bipolar and their carers.
- Breathing Space is Scotland's national, free,
confidential phoneline that you can call when you're feeling down.
It is open from 6pm to 2am daily - 0800 838587.
- Centre for Mental Health is a national charity
that conducts research, policy work and
analysis to improve practice and influence policy in mental
health
- Eating
Disorders Association provides information and supports people
experiencing eating disorders.
- Equality and Human Rights Commission works to
eliminate discrimination, reduce inequality and build good
relations.
- LGBT Youth Scotland works to improve the health
and wellbeing of LGBT youth and LGBT communities in Scotland.
- LifeSIGNS Self-Injury Guidance and Support
Network provides information and support to people affected by
self-harm.
- Mental Welfare Commission provides information
on your rights relating to mental health law, and visits people who
are detained under the Mental Health Act to find out if they are
being treated correctly.
- Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland decides
whether applications for orders under the Mental Health Act should
be granted.
- Mind operates in England and Wales providing
information and advice, and campaigning to promote and protect good
mental health.
- No
Panic provides a helpline for people experiencing anxiety.
- Rethink
operates in England and Northern Ireland providing services and
information about mental health problems.
- The Royal College of Psychiatrists is the
professional and educational organisation for doctors specialising
in psychiatry.
- Scottish Hearing Voices Network was set up to
promote a positive image of people who experience voices and to
provide support and training to assist them.
- Support in
Mind Scotland provides support and information to people with
schizophrenia and other mental health problems, and their families
and carers.
- Winston's Wish is the leading child bereavement
charity and the largest provider of services to bereaved families
in the UK.