Mental health has been at the forefront of the public mind more so than ever since the region entered the first lockdown last March.
The country has been in shutdown twice in that period with many left at risk of suffering in silence in what has become a mental health crisis nationwide.
To mark Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 (May 10-16) the PA caught up with charities in Perth and Kinross that have been helping those struggling over the past 14 months and to see how they have marked the campaign.
The theme of this year’s awareness week is ‘Nature’, encouraging people to get outdoors and experience the powerful benefits it can have on mental health.
Mental health crisis charity The Lighthouse for Perth has been offering daily awareness guides on social media.
On its Facebook page the group posted information on self-harm distraction methods to manage different emotions on Monday.
Tuesday provided more information on borderline personality disorder (BPD) - also known as emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD) - and Wednesday’s message spoke about depression, anxiety and panic attacks.
The charity, headed up by project manager Sharon Thomas, will be releasing daily posts until Sunday.
“We are running an information campaign to get it out there for the conditions that we see regularly,” a charity spokesperson said.
“Friday there will be a further post about how to help with mental health and we are also developing a new walking group.”
It was also announced that the charity, which often helps younger sufferers, will set up another crisis outreach point for pupils in Blairgowrie High School in August.
One is already operational in Kinross High School.
“Crieff High School has also been in touch to set up and we are looking to hire more staff,” the spokesperson added.
“We are also looking to areas up the A9 like Dunkeld or Pitlochry, to set up a hub there.
“We have only been here a year and have hired another three staff this year, so we are expanding quickly.”
Head of men’s mental health charity Andys Man Club Perth, Alex McClintock, said the national group announced a further expansion this week and his group held its weekly walk and talk at the South Inch.
“We have had lots going on this week,” Alex said.
“The charity has launched three clubs on Monday, one of which was in Scotland, and takes us up to 48 overall.
“And we have launched a sponsorship with Hallmark for specialised cards that you can send to pals.
“We have signed up with Britvic who have been supplying refreshments to members during meet-ups.
“We also hosted our Bag O’ Chips group walk on Wednesday which had 20 people there on the South Inch.
“This year’s nature theme is to encourage people to get outside, even in their back gardens, and I think we are lucky that we have the Inches in Perth for that reason.
“Monday’s easing of lockdown is huge, as a big part of Andys Man Club is to finish every meeting with a hug or a handshake.
“It is going to make a big difference.”
Former Blairgowrie resident John Graddon (27) set up his own mental health outreach charity three months ago having survived a suicide attempt in 2019.
John’s vision to turn his and others’ lives around has seen his group, Mental Health Matters: mental health, anxiety and depression support group, amass over 1100 members already, helping save countless lives.
He said: “It started in Scotland and has extended to England, Wales and Ireland.
“This week we have been posting pictures on posts about mental health and things to look out for in the area.
“We have had selfie days to try to get people to open up a little bit about what they are feeling and quite a few have come forward.
“We have also been helping people who have been sent to hospital, both before and after.
“We speak to families and to doctors, any way we can to help out.
“We have also started an overnight call service to help those who are struggling and can’t sleep.
“Of the 1100 that are members we have directly helped 965 of them. We also have 19 administrators signed up in just three months.
“A lot of people have been struggling with mental health and seeing people meet face-to-face for a walk means the world to them.
“They can speak to each other and to us and that will build confidence up for people coming out of lockdown.”
This week also saw a Perth and Kinross charity win funding to put on a new wellbeing festival in the area amid the mental health crisis caused by the pandemic.
Trauma Healing Together (THT), a mental health charity set up in 2020, has been granted £9100 from the National Lottery Community Fund to organise the Perth and Kinross Mental Health and Wellbeing Festival, which will take place between August 9-15.
THT’s festival will be held entirely online and will include virtual workshops by a number of local organisations.
There will also be educational webinars designed to reduce stigma around mental health, Q&A sessions with organisations that provide mental health services in the area, and a series of podcasts on mental health topics.
Among the organisations which have already signed up to are The Stephen Lyon Organisation, a Kinross community-based group empowering people who experience suicidal thoughts; All Strong, a social enterprise providing fitness activities to help people self-manage their mental health; Starting Step, a social enterprise dedicated to providing those who suffer from social disadvantage with the tools to be the best they can be; and Plus Perth, a charity whose mission is to improve the lives of residents of Perth and Kinross who have experienced mental distress.
In addition, THT is appealing to any other interested third sector organisations within the Perth and Kinross area to sign up to the festival.
THT founder and trustee Roxanne Kerr said: “After almost a year of people living in isolation, we want to bring people together in an event which not only supports people struggling with the aftereffects of COVID-19 but also promotes the fantastic work of other not-for-profit mental health organisations in the area who continue to work tirelessly to support people with their mental health.
“COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on people’s mental health, and this will likely continue for many years after the crisis has ended.”
Points of contact for these charities are:
• www.facebook.com/andysmanclubperth
• www,lighthouseforperth.org/
• www.facebook.com/groups/2954840038175127/?ref=share
• www.traumahealingtogether.org/
