This week sees the launch of a new education pack which will enable secondary school teachers and other youth workers to address some of the issues around mental health and wellbeing.  ‘That’s Not Me…’ uses the medium of film to explore mental health through the eyes of young people.  The 12 minute drama was written and performed by young people with professional advice and input from adult health professionals and film makers.  The project was jointly funded by two projects within Scottish Borders, Choose Life which aims to reduce the rate of suicide and Voice of My Own (VOMO) which gives young people an opportunity to express themselves through the moving image.  The project also received input from Penumbra Youth Project, a community based mental health project working with 16-21 year olds in Scottish Borders.

The film was well received by young people, schools and health professionals as well as winning acclaim as an artistic endeavour in the wider world of film making.  Not surprisingly, it was felt that it was important to make it available to a wider audience and after securing additional funding, VOMO and Choose Life worked together to create this pack.

Robert Sproul-Cran directed the film and designed the pack. He said ‘The group which developed the project drew on personal experiences and emotions, which gives the film a real authenticity. The powerful performances by Perri Walsh as Rosie and Shelagh Hynd as her mother really strike a chord. I’m just delighted that we now have the chance to take this significant work to a wider audience, supported by the excellent material created by Haylis in the education pack. It may just be the most important project I’ve ever been involved in.’

The pack will be distributed to all schools and youth groups in Scottish Borders and is available to buy for other organisations across Scotland.  For further information, please contact Haylis on hmackay@scotborders.gov.uk tel 01835 824000.

Fighting Fire with Fire
Article in the Sunday Herald, which discusses, women and smoking. The article discusses how tobacco companies and public health campaigns have used marketing to target women. The essay also talks to young women about why the smoke and their views on tobacco branding and what effect plain packaging may have.

If you would like to read more, follow the link below:

http://www.heraldscotland.com/comment/columnists/fighting-fire-with-fire.12723018