Support in Mind Scotland

Who we are

Our purpose is to make sure that no one has to face mental ill health alone and to improve the quality of life for anyone affected by poor mental health or illness including family members friends and supporters.

We believe

• That every person has the right to be valued and to share in the opportunities, challenges and joys of everyday life.
• That people affected by poor mental health and illness deserve high quality support in the community.
• That those who need support should be empowered to play an active role in all decisions relating to them and their treatment.
• That the lived experience of those who are affected by serious mental illness means that

Turning People's Lives Around

We improve quality of life by working with people to:

• Have more opportunities in life
• Build confidence and social skills
• Be more connected to their families and communities
• Have more stable lifestyles by providing help with practical issues 
• Be more physically well – exercise, diet, healthy eating.

We support people who are hard to reach and engage

• People with serious mental illness including psychosis
• People subject to compulsory treatment and compulsory measures – those who come through criminal justice who are not well.
• People who have chaotic lifestyles due to historic factors, poverty and lifestyle choices.

Fighting for People’s Rights

• People are afraid to seek help because of the stigma and discrimination they face
• Most discrimination is experienced within health and social care settings
• People with serious illness die 20 years younger than their peers because of poor physical health that goes undiagnosed or untreated because of attitudinal barriers to care
• 93% of People with serious illness are long-term unemployed and living on benefits
• Carers of people with mental illness are twice as likely to experience their own mental health problems as carers of other conditions/illnesses

What do we do to change the future?

• Evidence based on lived experience
• Political engagement
• Awareness-raising Consultations
• Policy and public affairs activity
• Partnerships Media and communications Involvement – giving people a voice

Professional ethos

As staff and volunteers we will:

• Show respect and tolerance for everyone who has contact with our organisation
• Develop an evidence base for everything that we do and say
• Involve and engage everyone we support in decision-making about our services and what our organisations does
• Ensure that everything we do has tangible benefits for people affected by mental illness or a mental health problem
• Be person-centred and not service-led