A CAMPAIGN has been launched in the Borders this week in a bid to end the stigma attached to mental health issues.

A leading charity believes that discrimination has left people in the region feeling belittled and worthless.

See Me is urging everyone to take action and change lives as it launched its new campaign - People like YOU will end mental health discrimination.

Nine out of ten people with mental health problems still suffer from stigma or discrimination in work, education, health care and at home.

And Susan Falconer from Galashiels is amongst them.

The 47-year-old, who suffered from depression, believes colleagues didn’t take her seriously because of her illness.

Susan told the Border Telegraph: “This has happened particularly at work. People will dismiss what I say and say 'oh she is just reacting like that because of her illness’.

“People don’t take what I say seriously because I have depression.

“Someone even said to me once, 'you don’t look like a victim’ often you will have people say to you, 'what have you got to be depressed about?’ “When people don’t take you seriously it makes you feel belittled and worthless.

“Everyone is a human being and should be treated equally.” See Me believe that two out of three people with mental health problems are prevented from some day to day activities because of the fear of stigma.

The campaign to end mental health stigma and discrimination is calling people in the Borders to take action.

Judith Robertson, See Me programme director, said: “We are launching a campaign which signals the end of a culture in Scotland that actively discriminates against people with mental health problems, stigmatising them and their families.

“Everyone has mental health and we can all be hit by mental ill-health. But we each have the power to make a positive difference in the lives of our families, friends and colleagues when they are affected by mental health problems.

“All over the Borders people like you will end mental health stigma and discrimination wherever it occurs.

“See Me, our partners, allies and supporters are building a movement which will bring people together from all over the country and encourage them to challenge discrimination at its roots.

“Our goal is equality that ensures people with mental health problems have the same opportunities as others to lead a fulfilled life.”