A Bonhill charity chief hopes a tie up with Dumbarton Football Club can help smash the stigma around mental health.
As the country prepares to mark World Mental Health Day on Thursday (October 10), Mentor Scotland have teamed up with Dumbarton FC – with Sons players wearing warm-up tops displaying the charity’s branding prior to their game with Stenhousemuir on Saturday, and also have a tie-in with Dumbarton-based Lomond Radio.
Mentor Scotland was founded by Bonhill dad Jamie Maclean, after his own struggles with anxiety, suicidal thoughts and binge drinking.
The group are based at Dumbarton’s Benview Resource Centre, and have almost 2,500 followers on social media – with Jamie hoping the partnership with the Sons can help further boost their profile.
He told the Lennox: “It’s no surprise that a lot of people are struggling with their mental health at the moment. I’m a taxi driver and it’s a topic that pops up a lot when I’m working.
“I bring up the group a lot. But even after two years with a lot of publicity and marketing people still often haven’t heard of us. So we’re continuing to grow.
“Linking in with Lomond Radio and Dumbarton Football Club is really important in helping us reach a wider audience.
“For myself the partnership with the football club is really important.
“We’ve worked with a lot of the smaller clubs, but to link in with a club that’s on our doorstep and playing semi-professionally is amazing.
“The fact they came out with our logos on their jerseys is really special.
“The more people who are aware of mental health and the more people who see others being open talking about their mental health, ultimately that will end the stigma. Which is our motto.
“Saturday was an important day for us. We’ve been overwhelmed by the support from the football club.”
Jamie says he is immensely proud of the work the charity – staffed entirely by volunteers – have done in their two years to date, continuing: “We’re all volunteers. We don’t have a paid member of staff. Everything we do is done through will and the fact we don’t want people to experience what we have all experienced.
“I can’t say how much I appreciate the work of all the volunteers.
“I have had some time away this year because I was diagnosed with ADHD. I’ve had a tough year with that.
“But everyone involved within the group should be so proud of what we’re achieving.
“We can be up and down, but we still show up and we all care so much about supporting each other.
“A lot of the guys in the group have been suicidal or in a really bad place. And now they are flourishing.”
And he urged anyone struggling with their mental health to reach out for support – with the charity offering a tailored and patient approach for anyone going through a dark period.
He added: “We’ve all walked through the door for the first time, and it can be a worry to think about walking into a group of new people. A lot of people come through feeling really anxious and unsure of what to expect.
“But when they come in and see others talking, being open and honest, and heard without advice in return, it doesn’t take long to feel comfortable and at ease. We’ll go out of our way to help someone who feels anxious about attending, whether that’s with a phone call or even meeting before the group in our office.
“If I could say one thing to someone sitting on the fence regarding coming to Mentor Scotland and struggling with their mental health, it would be this; as difficult as it seems, take that first step. We’ve all been there, and you won’t be doing it alone. Just by showing up, you’re making progress, and we’re here to support you.”
Anyone wanting to contact Mentor Scotland can contact them via social media, by emailing [email protected] or calling 07470461685.