The
Highland Users Group (HUG) is a network of people with experience of
mental health problems.
Our main aim is to improve the way in which we, as users of mental health
services, are treated by campaigning to improve the rights, services
and treatment of people with mental health problems, and to challenge
stigma and discrimination.
Launched in 1996, HUG now has around 350 members and thirteen local
branches across the Highlands
Beliefs:
HUG believes that people with direct experience of mental health problems
have an expertise that cannot be found elsewhere. Collective advocacy
can harness this expertise and use it to influence the ways in which
services are developed and run, to educate professionals and the public,
and to also empower and influence individual members’ lives.
Activity:
HUG’s work
is split into two complimentary projects which work together to meet
our aims;
Speaking
Out focuses on consulting our members on a variety of subjects
and campaign locally, nationally and internationally about these issues
to influence change.
We do this through regular meetings in the thirteen HUG branches in
the Highlands, as well as meeting with individual members who may
be unable to attend groups.
As part of this work we produce reports that are widely read by professionals
and policy makers as well as our members.
The Communications Project aims to reduce stigma
and raise awareness and understanding about our lives and experiences,
by:
-
Delivering
mental health awareness training
-
Working
with young people and schools
-
Producing
DVDs about our experiences
-
Promoting
our work through the media developing promotional materials
We also maintain
this website from which all our recent reports and speeches are available
as well as our members’ creative work.
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