Glasgow conference brings together Scotland’s mental health community to address key concerns
A landmark conference is being held this week to create a strategy to improve the lives of people with mental health conditions in Scotland.
Over 60 speakers from all over the world will be joined by hundreds of attendees in Glasgow on Tuesday at the Rights for Life event, organised by See Me, the Scottish Recovery Network (SRN) and Voices of eXperience (Vox).
It will look into why people with mental health conditions die younger, are denied opportunities at work, are discriminated against socially and investigate ways to protect their rights.
The event, organisers say, has come at a vital time, with the newly elected Conservative government considering replacing the Human Rights Act and with mental health being higher up the political agenda than ever before.
Simon Bradstreet, director of SRN, said: “We want to mobilise people to help improve the lives of those who are already struggling financially and socially, who now find their rights are also under attack.
The stigma that surrounds mental illnesses robs individuals of their civic and human rights
“We know that people experiencing mental health issues are significantly disadvantaged in our society and we firmly believe helping people to realise the rights they already have, and to challenge injustices, will help make recovery more possible.”
A recent survey from See Me found that 48% of Scottish workers think that someone in their work would be unlikely to disclose a mental health problem for fear of losing their job.
The Scottish Social Attitudes survey further added that the amount of people who think that those with mental health problems should have the same human rights as anyone else is dropping, from 88% in 2002, to 82% last year.
A 2009 Royal College of Psychiatrists and Academy of Medical Royal Colleges report which show that on average people with mental health problems die five to 10 years younger than the general population.
Dr Heather Stuart, the Bell Canada Mental Health and Anti-Stigma Research chair, who is the keynote speaker at the conference, said: “The stigma that surrounds mental illnesses robs individuals of their civic and human rights, things that the rest of us take for granted such as a friend, a safe and secure home, and a job.
“Stigma is more long lasting and life limiting than the illness itself and it undermines every aspect of the therapeutic encounter and is a barrier to recovery.”
The conference will have a focus on how people can continue to have an adequate standard of living during austerity, with benefits and vital community services being cut.
Rights that affect people in education, work and in the health care system will also be discussed.
Joyce Mouriki, chairperson of Vox, said its membership includes people who have been detained against their will, compounded by being treated with medication that they do not want to take.
She said: “In these circumstances it is vital that people have information to safeguard their rights and an opportunity to advocate for appropriate usage of, or changes in, legislation that governs this area. “
Judith Robertson, See Me programme director, added: “We want to give a voice to people with direct experience of mental health problems, to define what the future of mental health looks like.
“This is important. Rights that allow people with mental health conditions to live fulfilled lives, such as the right to adequate health care or the right to an adequate standard of living, can be ignored, which is discriminatory and can impact on their recovery.”
To ensure everyone can be involved in the conference there is a digital programme running alongside the event.
This will include live Q&As, streaming from the main sessions and opportunities to take part in discussions in the room. Take part at rightsforlife.org or follow #rightsforlife on Twitter.
