About Scottish Association for Mental Health
SAMH is a relatively unusual organisation in that it campaigns and provides services - two roles which might be seen as quite distinct.
SAMH considers them to be not only complementary, but essential.
Designed to respond to the individuality of each person using them, its community services provide a range of opportunities for support, rehabilitation, healing and recovery.
Well-designed services coupled with staff expertise enable it to help people with a broad range of needs over and above mental health. The services promote hope and can help those who use them to rebuild their confidence and their self-esteem, to regain life skills, and to achieve qualifications.
Their success is evident not simply by the jobs secured and tenancies awarded but above all, by the many people who consider their lives transformed.
One in four Scots will experience mental illness at some time in their lives. Most will try to keep it secret, even from family and friends; many will seek help only when their problems become unbearable and almost all will feel guilty and ashamed.
People experiencing mental ill health are amongst the most socially excluded in Britain today. Only one in seven people with significant mental health problems has a job; mortality rates for those diagnosed with schizophrenia are two and a half times the national average and two thirds of media reports misleadingly portray people with mental health problems as violent.T
he public is led towards inaccurate and unfavourable expectations about those who suffer mental health problems. People who may especially need understanding and support, are met instead with ignorance, fear, rejection and discrimination.
Discrimination is faced every day in areas such as education and employment, housing and health care.
Battling for and promoting rights is central to SAMH's work of influencing policy and legislation, providing information and raising awareness of mental health issues. The expertise and experience of mental health service users who are working with the charity helps it ensure it achieves the best possible impact.
Mental illness can happen to anyone, it can have varying degrees and it can be treated effectively. Until we recognise that people with mental illness are our friends and our family then their human rights will always be subject to erosion; their rights to humane treatment, respect and care always a matter of debate.
Social inclusion is something we all need to strive to achieve in our day to day lives; we need to support mentally ill family members instead of shying away, by talking to our neighbours and staying in touch with friends we can do this.
Living with mental illness is often an act of awe-inspiring courage. SAMH strives to make it easier through the armoury of legally protected human rights it campaigns for.
Our history
The Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) has been working since 1923 to challenge the false stereotypes of people with mental health problems and to improve care services in Scotland.
As the leading Scottish voluntary sector provider in its field it provides various models of accommodation, support, training, employment and day care opportunities including Club House facilities.
- SAMH monitors government policy and campaigns with and on behalf of people with mental health problems
- SAMH provides a range of community based services to over 2,500 people throughout Scotland
- SAMH provides information to the public, professionals and people with mental health problems
- SAMH promotes positive mental health through training, education and publicity
SAMH Principles:
The fundamental human rights of a person should not be lost if he or she becomes ill.
Nor does the existence of a mental illness necessarily reduce or abolish the individual’s responsibilities as a citizen.
In pursuit of health, people should not be disadvantaged because of their ethnic group, their age, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs or by reason of where they live, their ecomonic or social conditions.
All services for people with mental health problems should promote dignity, choice and involvement and meet need on an individual basis.
If you require information on Membership, or any aspect of SAMH work, please contact the Information Service between 2 pm and 4.30 pm Monday to Friday.