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  • influencing-policy
  1. Information
  2. Policy
  3. Influencing policy

Influencing policy

Support in Mind Scotland has an important role in promoting the rights of the people we support, particularly those who are treated under the Mental Health Act, and other related legislation.  We take a close interest in the development of national strategies and any policy developments that impact on people with mental health problems and mental illness and their families, friends and carers.

We actively seek out and enter into partnerships and participate in working groups to ensure that the voices of those we support are heard. We engage in parliamentary activity and seek to develop productive relationships with politicians and decision-makers at national and local level.

Our Policy Programme 2014-2017 - We have developed a policy programme to bring about change at strategic level, and we have matched this with new developments in services that aim to bring about change in people’s everyday lives.

Health Inequalities - physical health and wellbeing

A report by the Mental Health Foundation in 2011 considered health inequalities for those with serious mental health problems, identifying the depressingly persistent links between poverty and poor mental health, consigning people to lives of social disadvantage, lack of opportunity and unemployment. Read more

Published: 28th October, 2014

Updated: 26th March, 2019

Author: Nathalie Cortada

Related topics:
  • Influencing policy

Improving care and treatment for people with schizophrenia and psychosis

In 2004 the Government and the NHS conducted a major survey into schizophrenia care and treatment in Scotland and this review made recommendations and set standards for health professionals. Once of those standards was to introduce Integrated Care Pathways for people who received this diagnosis so that they could receive quick and streamlined care. Read more

Published: 28th October, 2014

Updated: 9th February, 2016

Author: Nathalie Cortada

Related topics:
  • Influencing policy

Challenging Stigma

Support in Mind Scotland was one of the founder members of the See Me campaign in 2002. At Support in Mind Scotland we have a specific interest and specialist expertise in challenging stigma associated with schizophrenia and psychosis. Read more

Published: 28th October, 2014

Updated: 29th June, 2015

Author: Nathalie Cortada

Related topics:
  • Influencing policy

Involvement and taking a rights-based approach

Support in Mind Scotland believes that people with mental health issues and their families, friends and supporters should control the decisions that are made that impact on their lives and should be involved in all levels of decision-making. Read more

Published: 28th October, 2014

Updated: 20th February, 2015

Author: Nathalie Cortada

Related topics:
  • Influencing policy

Criminal Justice and mental illness

A high proportion of people who are taken into custody and who receive prison sentences have mental health issues, including experiencing serious mental illness such as psychosis and bipolar disorder.[ Read more

Published: 24th October, 2014

Updated: 17th November, 2015

Author: Nathalie Cortada

Related topics:
  • Influencing policy

Forensic Mental Health Services

Forensic mental health services assess and treat people who are called ‘mentally disordered offenders’ under the Mental Health Act and who are detained in secure health facilities. Read more

Published: 24th October, 2014

Updated: 17th November, 2015

Author: Nathalie Cortada

Related topics:
  • Influencing policy

Early Intervention in the treatment for psychosis and services for young people

Schizophrenia is known as a young person’s illness as symptoms can first appear when someone is in their early teens. Read more

Published: 24th October, 2014

Updated: 17th November, 2015

Author: Nathalie Cortada

Related topics:
  • Influencing policy

Older people and mental illness

Our services support people without age limits, and so we provide continuity of support to people as they reach older age. Read more

Published: 24th October, 2014

Updated: 17th November, 2015

Author: Nathalie Cortada

Related topics:
  • Influencing policy
Influencing policy

Influencing policy

Support in Mind Scotland has an important role in promoting the rights of the people we support, particularly those who are treated under the Mental Health Act, and other related legislation. Read more

Published: 22nd October, 2014

Updated: 3rd April, 2019

Author: Nathalie Cortada

Related topics:
  • Influencing policy
  • Policy priorities
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Showing 10 of 9

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  • Fife Services

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  • What is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

    Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help you manage your difficulties by changing the way you think and behave. It is mostly used to treat anxiety and depression but can also be used in the treatment of schizophrenia.

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About us

Support In Mind Scotland is the operating name of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship (Scotland), a company limited by guarantee registered in Scotland SC088179. Charity Number SC 013649.

Contact us

Information Line: 0300 3231545
Office number: 0131 662 4359
Support in Mind Scotland
6 Newington Business Centre
Dalkeith Road Mews
Edinburgh EH16 5GA
[email protected]

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