Cycling duo go to great lengths to support the mentally ill

Published on Wednesday 8 July 2009 09:51

A MENTAL health nurse is using his patients as inspiration as he cycles the length of the UK to help beat discrimination.

Tom Palmer, who has worked at the Capital's psychiatric hospital for five years, said he had been so affected by the stigma and discrimination faced by those he worked with that he wanted to do something radical to raise cash and awareness.

The 29-year-old enlisted the help of his flat-mate Donnie Duncanson, and the two of them are now only a day away from John O'Groats, having set off last week from Land's End.

Mr Palmer, from Marchmont, said seeing what patients at the Royal Edinburgh in Morningside endure on a daily basis when they are attempting to integrate into public life was his motivation.

"Because I work in the field I know how difficult it can be for people," he said.

"I've seen patients who've had stones thrown at them by kids, or had abuse screamed at them by gangs of youths.

"That's the obvious kind of discrimination, but it's elsewhere, too.

"Some of the former patients I see can't get a job because bosses think they may need to be taken into hospital again at some point.

"Even in trying to raise money for this challenge it's pretty clear that people aren't as willing to give money to mental health charities as, say, cancer organisations – and this is even though one in four of us will be affected by mental illness in our lives."

So far, the pair have raised 750 for the See Me campaign, which is attempting to abolish stigma relating to mental health across Scotland.

However, Mr Palmer said raising awareness, at this stage, was equally important.

He said: "So many of my patients could do with having a strong support network but they tell me that their peers just don't seem to know how to respond in a way which is helpful.

"In my experience, people want to help but because they don't understand the conditions, they fear that they might get it wrong or actually make things worse."

Mr Duncanson, 27, said of the challenge: "It's been tough but we know what we are doing is for a worthwhile cause."

Suzie Vestri, campaign director for See Me, added: "Tom is only too aware of the harm which stigma can cause.

"In fact, sometimes the unintentional discrimination from family, friends and colleagues can be more damaging than living with the condition itself.

"While Scotland's attitude towards mental ill-health is moving in the right direction, we still have a long way to go to change public understanding, attitudes and behaviours to ensure that the stigma and discrimination associated with mental ill-health is eliminated completely.

"Efforts like Tom's sponsored cycle from Land's End to John O'Groats are really appreciated as they help to break down these barriers and positively influence public opinion."

To donate to the cycling mission, visit www.justgiving.com/seemecycle.