SAMH

04/03/2026

Two dedicated volunteers from our Well-Informed Information Service, Lisa and Mel, were invited by ScotRail to Motherwell Train Station to talk to commuters about mental health and promote awareness of local support resources.

Our Well-Informed Information Service helps individuals, caregivers, and professionals find local services, providing support via telephone, email and in-person consultations.

It also works closely with Expeerience Counts, which offers up to six weeks of one-to-one, in-person peer support to people in North Lanarkshire.

Interested in this service? Call 0800 073 0918 or email well-informed@samh.org.uk

03/03/2026

Ending stigma and discrimination is one of our four long-term goals, but we have decided that the time is right for a change with hosting See Me and we are thrilled to pass the baton on to our colleagues at Penumbra.

In the words of Billy Watson, SAMH Chief Executive: “Wendy and the team [at See Me] have done really important work on the stigma agenda through the years. We look forward to continuing to support the work of See Me as the national anti-stigma programme and to collaborating with See Me, Penumbra, and partners across the country to help create a stigma-free Scotland.”

Penumbra Mental Health to become the new host for See Me, Scotland's programme to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination.

Penumbra, one of Scotland’s largest mental health charities, will pick up the baton on April 1st from SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health), who has hosted See Me Scotland since 2002. On a day-to-day basis, See Me will be managed by Penumbra in partnership with the Mental Health Foundation.

The Scottish Government has funded See Me since its inception in 2002 and will continue to support See Me with a further £1 million of funding in 26/27 as its operations transition to Penumbra.

Mike Burns, Chief Executive Officer, Penumbra Mental Health said:

“I can confirm that from Wednesday 1 April 2026, Penumbra Mental Health alongside the Mental Health Foundation will be the managing partners for See Me, Scotland’s national programme to end mental health stigma and discrimination. We welcome the Scottish Government’s continuing commitment to this programme. Our collective vision is for a fair and inclusive Scotland, free from mental health stigma and discrimination.

“Our understanding of mental health stigma and discrimination is grounded in the experience of our mental health peer workforce, the largest in Scotland, and the people with lived and living experience we support every day. See Me has a rich history and we’re looking forward to helping to shape the future of the programme and playing our part in substantially reducing mental health stigma and discrimination and its effects in the months ahead.

“We are currently working with SAMH and the Mental Health Foundation to ensure a smooth transition for the programme, its staff, volunteers, partners, stakeholders, and suppliers."

For more information please visit our website: 👇
https://penumbra.org.uk/penumbra-mental-health-to-become-the-new-host-for-see-me-020326/

03/03/2026

This week, Hannah will take on the SAMH Arctic Challenge alongside a team of colleagues - the kind of challenge designed to push people physically and mentally to their limits.

And for Hannah, that’s exactly the point.

She told us: “We’ve chosen to face some difficult challenges while we’re away, but when it comes to mental health, nobody chooses that, and yet they still have to face it – often in isolation.”

Her motivation is deeply personal.

Hannah’s brother Owen died after years of struggling to access the support he needed. She carries his memory with her every day.

"He was a warrior, someone you only had to meet once to remember. He was my big brother and I will miss him for the rest of my life.” Now, she says: “I want to honour him. I want him to know I’m doing it for him.”

For Hannah, the challenge isn’t just about the miles or the Arctic landscape - it represents a way to process something far more complicated and painful. She describes the experience as “the thing that’s helping me help other people.”

Preparing for the challenge has also shown her how vital talking is - for herself and others. She’s learned that “talking actually helps other people, it gives someone else the freedom to open up themselves.”

But perhaps the clearest part of this story leads back to her brother’s experience of seeking help.

“Three days after he died, they called him with an appointment for intensive therapy … but it was too little too late.”

That reality is why she believes so strongly in accessible support - places people can walk into without waiting lists.

When she first visited the Nook in Glasgow, she unexpectedly felt a wave of emotion. She said: “Our lives would be so different, if we had access to those services. If my brother didn’t have to wait.”

Hannah is taking on this Arctic Challenge for Owen - and for anyone who has ever needed support sooner than it arrived.

Every donation helps us continue to provide life changing mental health support across Scotland.

02/03/2026

Do you know what a hustings is? Don't worry - you aren't alone, but you are invited to one!

Craig from our Public Affairs team is here to explain and invite you to join Scotland's Mental Health Hustings (online) on 9th March.

Register here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/scotlands-mental-health-hustings-tickets-1981127552841?msockid=014b8177a1b467d93b249791a0e6660b

27/02/2026

Here is a round-up of your free March events at The Glasgow Nook.

Highlights this month:
📚 Meet the author of Finding Peace of Mind - Jonathan Kemp. At this talk, Jonathan will focus on his experiences with his mental health and discuss why men struggle to reach out to ask for help. Join us on Fri 6 March for a conversation around courage, connection and hope.

🧘 Tai chi - sometimes called "meditation in motion" - is a mix of gentle exercises that gives your brain and body a work out. Benefits can include improved brain function, reduction in body fat and boosted immune system. Treat yourself by joining a class this March.

🫂We warmly invite people with dementia and their friends and carers to this informal and friendly café. Together we will enjoy music and share stories over a nice cuppa.

All events are free and you can register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/the-nook-in-glasgow-120135314491?msockid=014b8177a1b467d93b249791a0e6660b&fbclid=IwY2xjawQL67xleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBFdzNDN0V4dVJFanc2UUFrc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHr1ogOevoeLSK1_DDrsTpBQ3oPSOBz1hJ0Bblm5TQwKfrbDYZRXCG3Q-s91n_aem_8Hhufbl5WXcN7sXJne0VyA

26/02/2026

Are you ready to push your limits, power through the night, and take on Scotland’s most exhilarating cycling challenge?

This is Cycle the Circuit - the ultimate 24-hour endurance event on the legendary Knockhill Racing Circuit.

📅 2–3 July 2026
👥 Ride solo, as a duo, or in teams of four

If you’re chasing your next big challenge, this is the one.

Registration is now open 👉 https://www.samh.org.uk/get-involved/fundraising/fundraising-events/cycle-the-circuit-2026

25/02/2026

There's still time to book in to The Big Meet Up: the first national get-together organised by our friends at United to Prevent Su***de

Join online or in person to contribute to Scotland's social movement to prevent su***de.
Register here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-big-meet-up-tickets-1981161710006?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

24/02/2026

America - brace yourself. The Tartan Trekker has arrived!

Today, Craig Ferguson starts his epic walk across America to raise money for Scotland's mental health. To send him on his way, we have a wee message for him.

If you would like to show your support for Craig's Tartan Trek, you can donate here https://www.thetartantrek.co.uk/ 🏴 🚶‍♂️

Craig Ferguson Scotland & Travel

19/02/2026

An Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment was recently carried out, with an aim of helping the Payment work more effectively and better meet the needs of disability people.

The Scottish Government have today responded to the Independent Review, welcoming several of its more marginal recommendations, but stating that decisions around more significant recommendations – which argued for real structural change – are a matter for the next Scottish Government.

Commenting on the Scottish Government’s response to the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment Final Report, Billy Watson, our Chief Exec, said:

“The recommendations of the Independent Review represent an opportunity to move closer to the dignified, rights-based social security system envisaged by the Scottish Parliament in 2018.

“Today the Scottish Government has chosen to kick the possibility of meaningful reform down the road, despite commissioning the Independent Review and providing its response at times of its choosing.

“We urge all parties to commit to implementation of the Independent Review’s recommendations in their election manifestos and we hope to see urgent progress from the next Scottish Government.”

19/02/2026

Reminder: The Nook is open seven days a week, providing mental health support with no waiting times and no referral required 🫶

📍Find us at 51 Wilson Street, Glasgow, G1 1UZ.

18/02/2026

Calling all Aberdonians! Register your team today for our Dodgeball Showdoon 2026!

If you’ve ever wanted to throw things at your pals, siblings or colleagues, this could be your chance 😉

Join us on Saturday 16 May at Balgownie Playing Fields for a one-day knockout tournament - no training plan required! Just bring the banter, the energy, and a healthy dose of competitive spirit.

📍Saturday 16 May 2026, Balgownie Playing Fields
🎟️£20 per player
🏆Prizes for best fancy dress, best team name and, of course, the tournament champions themselves!
🎉Cheer squads encouraged (kids, pals, neighbours – the more the merrier!)

Sign up today: https://www.samh.org.uk/get-involved/fundraising/fundraising-events/aberdeen-dodgeball-showdoon
This event is delivered in partnership with Aberdeen Sports Village and University of Aberdeen.