See Me appoint new head to continue battle against mental health discrimination

Calum Irving has been appointed as the new director at the mental health campaign group See Me.

Irving replaces Judith Robertson who left to become new chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission.

He will lead its programmes in the next phase of tackling mental health discrimination in Scotland.

Irving has extensive experience in the third sector as well as public affairs as well as working in communications and campaigns across the public sector including a spell at the Scottish Community Foundation before being appointed director of Stonewall Scotland in 2005.

A spell working in Manchester was followed by Irving being appointed as chief executive of Voluntary Action Scotland, the network of local third sector support organisations from where he jois See Me.

Irving said: “I’m delighted to be See Me’s new director and I can’t wait to begin this new challenge. Tackling stigma and discrimination has been a critical part of my life at work and beyond and I am excited to join a movement that I believe is on the cusp of major change.

"Now more than ever we have an incredible opportunity to ensure no one in Scotland faces stigma and discrimination just because they experience a mental health problem.

He added: “See Me’s campaigns, community development and partnership approach can be developed further, particularly within health and social care, to achieve our aim of ensuring people experiencing mental health problems can live fulfilled lives.”