SDC’s 10th Anniversary Year

 Scotland’s Mental Health Gap

Learning from the past: shaping the future

In its 10th Anniversary year, SDC is looking to the future and the challenge of achieving better mental health and well being for people in Scotland.

The last decade has been a dynamic period for Scotland, with the new Scottish Parliament, forward looking legislation on a range of health, welfare and environmental issues, economic growth and prosperity in many sectors. There has also been increasing recognition that mental health and well being are vital assets that enable people, communities and societies to flourish.

However, persisting deprivation, inequalities and social divisions have continued to taint Scotland, with direct consequences for the mental health and well being of individuals, communities, organisations and Scottish society as a whole. Where you live, how you do at school, the social networks available to you, the type of work you get, your income, whether you feel safe and respected - these all influence your mental health and well being.

SDC takes the view that the mental health gap in Scotland is a matter of major concern as an issue of social justice. Improving mental health and well being is therefore not ‘other people’s business’, but a shared societal responsibility

While there is a growing understanding about the central importance for Scotland of mental health and well being and increased knowledge about how mental health and well being can be fostered, these have yet to be translated into effective action to close this gap.

In our 10th anniversary year SDC is extending a wide invitation across the spectrum of Scottish life to encourage others to join us in a programme of activities for 2007 to:

• acknowledge that investment in the future mental health and well being of Scotland is both a social and economic imperative
• consider the critical challenges ahead in achieving better mental health and well being for all

We will be exploring key questions including:

The programme of events and activities in 2007 will challenge thinking, exploring current knowledge and understanding and stimulate action. These events will culminate in a major two day conference in Glasgow on 23rd - 24th October 2007.

For further information on the 10th Anniversary programme, contact 10yearson@sdcmh.org.uk

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