SDC’s 10th Anniversary Year  

In its 10th Anniversary year, the Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health explored the challenge of achieving better mental health and well-being for people in Scotland. This discussion came at an interesting time, with the new Scottish government choosing to explicitly include wellbeing in the title of the health portfolio and appointing a dedicated minister for public health. There have been some bold statements about this government’s vison for Scotland, language that resonates well with the themes of positive public mental health.

SDC's 10th Anniversary Conference: With Scotland's Future in Mind

A series of events throughout 2007 culminated in a major conference in Glasgow on October 23rd-24th. This unique event provided an opportunity to consider the significance for Scotland of future trends in the country’s population profile, in the nature and distribution of work, in the quality and pattern of social relationships and in cultural and environmental developments. Discussion focused on three domains, around Scotland’s People, Scotland’s Places, and Scotland’s Purpose.

The event was chaired by Lord Stevenson, Chair of HBOS on Day One, and by
Dr Richard Holloway, Chair of Scottish Screen / Scottish Arts Council on Day Two.

Read Times article about Lord Stevenson's own battle with depression.

Speakers included:

• Shona Robison, Minister for Public Health
• Richard Wilkinson, Professor of Medical Epidemiology, University of Nottingham
• Lynne Friedli, Public Mental Health Specialist and adviser to WHO
• Carole Tannahill, Director of the Glasgow Centre for Population Health
• MIchael Parsonage, The Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health
• Robert Rae, Scotland’s Futures Forum

Round table discussions: People, Places and Purpose

Three high profile Round Table events were held by SDC at the National Museum of Scotland in June 2007. The round tables explored key aspects of life in Scotland, and brought together business leaders and social entrepreneurs, senior figures in the public and private sector, community leaders and opinion formers and decision makers who influence policy and development.

The events served to widen our collective understanding of current issues, acknowledge the assets and resources available and identify critical future challenges for Scotland to flourish, for the benefit of all its people. The purpose was to stimulate debate and new thinking.

SDC has produced a series of audio podcasts reviewing the three Roundtable discussions, which are available via our SDC audio page.