Funding is now available to support statutory and voluntary organisations to provide programmes seeking to reduce stigma and discrimination towards people with poor mental health.

Anti-Stigma Programme (ASP) funding is through the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) Healthy Minds Network, and organisations are invited to apply for up to £5,000 from the small bids fund until noon on Friday, 8 October 2021.

In Scotland, over a third (35%) of people have said that they, or someone close to them, have experienced stigma and discrimination due to their mental health. In addition, it’s estimated that one in three young people in every classroom will experience a mental health problem, and three in four say that they fear the reaction of their friends. 

The impact of stigma and discrimination can be wide-ranging, including making someone’s mental health problems worse and stopping them from getting support. Recently, the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the mental health of our communities has raised awareness of these issues and has provided momentum for innovative action.

The NHSGGC Healthy Minds Network has a membership that includes a wide range of partners across the statutory and third sectors and is supported by the Mental Health Improvement Team based within Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP). 

Heather Sloan, Health Improvement Lead (Mental Health) said: “The Network would like to invite creative bids from organisations to help address some of the issues that surround mental health stigma and discrimination. This year, we particularly welcome bids that look at reducing the stigma and discrimination around suicide issues, or reducing stigma and discrimination related to children and young people’s mental health.” 

Previous themes of interest and types of approaches that we’ve received in the past are available. The list is not exhaustive, and we welcome other approaches that aren’t included. We particularly encourage bids that demonstrate innovative thinking.

To support anyone interested in applying we’ll be holding an online Question and Answer (Q&A) session before the submission is due. The Q&A will be facilitated by our Mental Health Improvement Team and will run from 12.30 – 2.00 pm on Tuesday, 21 September 2021 via Microsoft Teams. It will be available to anyone who is interested in submitting an application. During the Q&A we will provide an overview of what we’re looking for and provide a space to answer any questions ahead of the full submission. To join the session, please email the Mental Health Improvement Team on ggc.mhead@ggc.scot.nhs.uk.

The closing date for applications to the ASP fund is noon Friday, 8 October 2021.