See Me’s Anti-Stigma Arts Fund is now open for applications from organisations and groups in Lanarkshire who are dedicated to challenging mental health stigma and discrimination through the arts. The fund, managed by See Me, Scotland’s initiative to combat mental health stigma, is currently in its fourth year of operation and is welcoming applications from established groups or organisations. Utilising the arts as a medium, the fund aims to address and challenge the stigmatising attitudes and behaviours associated with mental health issues.
The impact of the Anti-Stigma Arts Fund has been significant since its initiation in 2021. It has supported a variety of projects focusing on different aspects of mental health stigma. Projects from previous years have included a film highlighting the impact of stigma on male suicide, a spoken word showcase exploring the connection between mental health and perceived gender, a public information comic developed with young women who have experienced abuse and homelessness, and a live choir performance featuring female survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence.
For the upcoming 2024-25 projects, the Anti-Stigma Arts Fund encourages proposals from organisations and groups working in Scotland to create participatory creative initiatives. Grants ranging from £500 to £5000 could be awarded to successful applicants. Maeve Grindall, the project officer for communities and priority groups at See Me, expressed excitement for this year’s fund launch and looks forward to seeing new creative projects emerge.
Projects applying for funding must engage meaningfully with individuals impacted by poverty and focus on the experiences of racialised communities, individuals with physical disabilities, and those with mental health challenges. The deadline for applications is midnight on January 9, and interested parties are encouraged to visit the See Me website for more information on the application process as well as previous project examples.
In summary, the Anti-Stigma Arts Fund by See Me is a vital initiative that harnesses the power of the arts to combat mental health stigma and discrimination. By supporting creative projects that address these issues, the fund plays a crucial role in raising awareness and fostering understanding in the community. Organizations and groups in Lanarkshire are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to make a positive impact on mental health perceptions through the arts.