'see me' launches local grants scheme to support communities in fighting stigma

‘see me’ is Scotland’s national campaign to end the stigma and discrimination of mental ill-health. It is fully funded by the Scottish Government, and owned and run by an alliance of five mental health organisations (Support in Mind Scotland is one of those).

Our vision is for a Scotland where all people with mental health problems are fully equal and included. We know that a national campaign can’t achieve this on its own: local and targeted actions make all the difference.

The ‘see me’ Local Grant Scheme and Equality Fund 2011 gives Scots the chance to tackle stigma at a local level and make a real difference in their community.

In order to encourage and support new ideas we are launching this year’s ‘see me’ Local Grants Scheme and a new Equalities Fund with £85,000 available for groups across Scotland to fight stigma in their local area.

We are on the lookout for any initiatives that are new and innovative, while sparking awareness of the stigma often associated with mental ill-health and proactively working to conquer it.

Up to £4,000 will be available, per health board area, to local groups who aim to promote positive messages of mental health. The Local Grant Scheme aims to encourage local organisations to take a lead in changing public attitudes and behaviours towards people with mental health problems. Projects must be led by people with lived experience of mental ill-health.

A second pool of funding, a new ‘see me’ Equality Fund, will award up to £6,000 to tackle the mental health and stigma issues faced by equality groups whilst celebrating diversity and promoting equality for all. Your project must be led by people with lived experience of mental ill-health and who also experience inequality due to their gender, race, faith, sexuality, disability or age.

The deadline for applications is 1st September 2011.

For further information and to view the guidelines visit see me's website