We’re rising to the lockdown challenge, and so are our generous supporters – Colin Leslie

New ways of fundraising will keep mental health services running at a time when they wlll be needed more than ever, writes Colin Leslie

Peter Dibdin’s picture Sound System Dude is among the prints by 50 top Scottish photographers to feature in Support in Mind’s Studies in Photography sale

I was out for an early-morning run recently and stopped to take a wee breather near Seafield. After I sat on the wall and dangled my feet over the waterfront edge peering out at not much other than thick haar, the silence was broken by the sound of a voice from over my shoulder.

“You okay son?” an older man walking his dog asked politely. I replied yes I was and we briefly exchanged some friendly small-talk before I said cheerio and steeled myself for the rest of my run. As I headed on to Portobello, I had a spring in my step a) because at my age I don’t often get called ‘son’ these days and b) far more importantly, I felt heartened that a stranger had gone out of his way to check on my well-being.

It may have been that I was sitting on a seafront wall, looking a bit lost in my thoughts, and it could have been that I happened to be wearing a mental health charity T-shirt. But whatever the reason, there was no doubting that it was a random act of kindness.

Margaret Mitchell's photograph Kyla from the series ‘In This Place’ is also in the sale

Kindness was the theme of Mental Health Awareness Week this year, which was celebrated in May in the midst of lockdown, and it is a word that has fuelled our charity’s experience of working through the coronavirus pandemic.

In the pre-Covid world, Support in Mind Scotland provided help and support to more than 1,300 people affected by mental illness each week across 20 diverse services throughout the country. Our traditional face-to-face method of providing that support was changed overnight when we were told to stay at home and beat the virus, so we moved quickly and professionally to a new way of working, providing one-to-one and group support remotely via phone, text or video.

It has been a challenge, but one our staff have risen to admirably, as have our service users. It quickly became apparent that now, more than ever, mental health support is going to be vital to our communities as we try to navigate our way through and out of the crisis, then deal with the after-effects on people’s mental health and well-being.

We recognise that as well as the existing group of people living with mental illness that we support there is going to be a new wave of people approaching us for help.

Wendy McMurdo's photo Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) is in the sale

As a result of the impact of the Covid-19 crisis, the statistic that one in four of us will experience a mental health issue looks sure to be revised to a more accurate reflection of the challenges the population is now facing. One in three? One in two? Time will tell, but doubtless more of us will need help and kindness to deal with issues such as financial hardship, health worries, social isolation, bereavement and the anxieties that surround that virus.

We have been there for people throughout these extraordinary times, and we will continue to be there for them as we navigate our way out of the gloom. However, we can’t do it alone – we rely on the outstanding generosity, kindness and backing of funders, volunteers, and the public. They too have risen admirably to the challenge.

To say we have been overwhelmed by the kindness shown to us in these past three months is an understatement. The Scottish Government and local authorities have so far been incredibly supportive of the sector in making new funds and digital opportunities available, we have received support from the corporate sector and the donations and offers of help we have had from the public have been truly heart-warming.

For us to continue delivering our wide range of mental health services, we rely on fundraising, and like most charities it has been a hammer-blow to see so many organised events cancelled, where people would have swam, ran, walked or cycled to raise money for good causes. But never under-estimate the spirit or imagination of the public! Instead of supporting us through traditional events, we have seen our supporters turn their talented hands to a new way of fundraising through virtual runs, cycles and spin bike classes, and a Lockdown Unplugged compilation from up-and-coming bands.

Colin Leslie, Fundraising & Communications Manager, Support in Mind Scotland

The latest initiative we are involved in is a Studies in Photography sale featuring stunning prints from 50 of the country’s top photographers.

Your kindness literally keeps us going.

Colin Leslie, Fundraising & Communications Manager, Support in Mind Scotland. Support in Mind Scotland’s National Information Line is open 9am-3.30pm, Mon-Fri, 0300 323 1545.