Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 29 September 2010
29 Sep 2010 · S3 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
See Me Campaign
I will come on to talk about see me in the wider picture, but I will respond quickly to that question. Historically, the public sector’s role has not been what we would want it to be. It is improving, but there is still work to do. As was mentioned, the financial climate in which we live increases the demand on services that deal with mental health, and we must ensure that that is recognised.
The see me campaign does not exist in isolation; it is part of a bigger picture of mental health improvement in Scotland. We have heard today about NHS 24’s breathing space service and the cognitive behavioural therapy services. There are also strong links between the see me campaign and the recovery agenda. One of the frequently encountered aspects of stigmatisation is the misconception that people do not get better, when we know that people can and do recover from even the most serious and long-term mental health problems. The see me campaign cultivates strong links with the Scottish recovery network, which is extremely important. The work it does also goes hand in hand with many elements of the choose life strategy to prevent suicide, which is another extremely important priority for us.
Health improvement and social inclusion are core priorities of this Government and of parties across the chamber. We must recognise that the physical and mental health and wellbeing of people in Scotland are a matter not just for the health sector. We need to take a much more integrated approach if we are genuinely to improve people’s health.
It is important to underline the point that Anne McLaughlin powerfully illustrated, which was that, although any of us can experience mental health problems—we do not know whether we will be in that position—we must also recognise that the most disadvantaged in society are most at risk, which means that there is a need to see the issue in social inclusion terms as well.
The see me campaign thoroughly deserves the congratulations and credit that it has received today. It is one strand of a range of actions that is under way to address the many issues that have been raised by members today. It has given us a useful opportunity to debate these matters. I acknowledge Hugh Henry’s point about the need to mainstream debates on this subject into the parliamentary agenda. I believe that the Parliament has debated mental health issues on many occasions, but if there is a willingness on the part of other parties to hold a debate on this subject within the normal parliamentary agenda, I am sure—without wishing to pre-empt the work of the Parliamentary Bureau—that there will be a willingness on the part of the Government to ensure that that happens.
Meeting closed at 17:42.
The see me campaign does not exist in isolation; it is part of a bigger picture of mental health improvement in Scotland. We have heard today about NHS 24’s breathing space service and the cognitive behavioural therapy services. There are also strong links between the see me campaign and the recovery agenda. One of the frequently encountered aspects of stigmatisation is the misconception that people do not get better, when we know that people can and do recover from even the most serious and long-term mental health problems. The see me campaign cultivates strong links with the Scottish recovery network, which is extremely important. The work it does also goes hand in hand with many elements of the choose life strategy to prevent suicide, which is another extremely important priority for us.
Health improvement and social inclusion are core priorities of this Government and of parties across the chamber. We must recognise that the physical and mental health and wellbeing of people in Scotland are a matter not just for the health sector. We need to take a much more integrated approach if we are genuinely to improve people’s health.
It is important to underline the point that Anne McLaughlin powerfully illustrated, which was that, although any of us can experience mental health problems—we do not know whether we will be in that position—we must also recognise that the most disadvantaged in society are most at risk, which means that there is a need to see the issue in social inclusion terms as well.
The see me campaign thoroughly deserves the congratulations and credit that it has received today. It is one strand of a range of actions that is under way to address the many issues that have been raised by members today. It has given us a useful opportunity to debate these matters. I acknowledge Hugh Henry’s point about the need to mainstream debates on this subject into the parliamentary agenda. I believe that the Parliament has debated mental health issues on many occasions, but if there is a willingness on the part of other parties to hold a debate on this subject within the normal parliamentary agenda, I am sure—without wishing to pre-empt the work of the Parliamentary Bureau—that there will be a willingness on the part of the Government to ensure that that happens.
Meeting closed at 17:42.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Trish Godman)
Lab
The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S3M-6705, in the name of Jackie Baillie, on the see me campaign. The debate will be conclu...
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Lab
I am grateful for the opportunity to raise awareness of the see me campaign, which is Scotland’s national programme aimed at ending the stigma and discrimina...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
We move to the debate. Speeches should be four minutes. I call Anne McLaughlin, to be followed by Marlyn Glen.17:10
Anne McLaughlin (Glasgow) (SNP)
SNP
I congratulate Jackie Baillie on beating me to it and securing this debate. I will speak very quickly, because I thought I had six minutes.When I was elected...
Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I add my thanks to Jackie Baillie for securing the debate to recognise that the see me campaign has made a significant contribution to tackling the stigma an...
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I, too, congratulate Jackie Baillie on securing tonight’s debate. I also thank members of all parties who signed my motion on mental health awareness week, w...
Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab)
Lab
Jackie Baillie is to be commended for allowing the Parliament the opportunity to put on record our support for the see me campaign and to raise some of our w...
Malcolm Chisholm (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab)
Lab
I, too, congratulate Jackie Baillie on bringing this important debate to the Parliament. Even more, I congratulate the see me campaign on all its work during...
The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing (Nicola Sturgeon)
SNP
I thank Jackie Baillie for securing the debate, which has been extremely important. There have been some very good speeches, and like other members I single ...
Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD)
LD
Like other members, I acknowledge the moving and human speech from Anne McLaughlin.On local campaigns, I attended a see me pledge-signing ceremony in Orkney ...
Nicola Sturgeon
SNP
I will come on to talk about see me in the wider picture, but I will respond quickly to that question. Historically, the public sector’s role has not been wh...