PEOPLE in the Wee County are being encouraged to tackle mental health stigma through the arts.

The Anti-Stigma Arts Fund – operated by See Me, Scotland’s programme to end mental health stigma and discrimination – is open for the second year, accepting applications from individuals, groups or organisations.

For the 2022 fund, proposals are encouraged from individuals, groups of organisations for arts projects in any medium that aim to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination.

Grants of between £500 and £5,000 are available.

Last year’s projects involved young people, members of a community affected by suicide, people with experience of severe, complex and enduring mental health problems, transgender and non-binary people and Chinese students, exploring how the different groups experience mental health stigma and open up conversations around mental health.

Four films, one leaflet, one wellbeing pack and one comic book, a community questionnaire, a youth questionnaire, and a programme of therapeutic arts were produced through the fund.

Maeve Grindall, project officer for communities and priority groups at See Me, said: “Our first year of funding showed us the power of the arts and how creativity can tackle mental health stigma and discrimination.

“The groups involved were innovative and produced inspiring pieces that opened up the conversation on stigma, especially across a different range of communities and audiences.

“We’re excited to see what projects and ideas might come from our second year of funding and placing a real emphasis on projects which aim to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination in the communities where it is most prevalent.”

The deadline to apply for the 2022 fund is midnight on Sunday 6 November.

Visit seemescotland.org/anti-stigma-arts-fund/ for more details.