'It's okay not to be okay' video campaign run by Black isle-based James Support Group wins backing from high-profile figures
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A NUMBER of high profile Scots have lent their support to an awareness-raising campaign being run by a Black Isle mental health charity.
The It's Okay To Be Okay video campaign raises awareness of the issue of suicide –which sees its peak number of cases during the winter months when the days are shorter – and it is being run by James Support Group to encourage more people to talk to others if they are having suicidal thoughts.
The charity was set up by Patrick and Wendy Mullery, who live in Cromarty, following the tragic death of their son James, a father-of-three, to suicide at the age of just 28.
Their latest campaign features short video clips posted on the group's Facebook page which show people quoting the phrase "it's okay not to be okay".
So far contributors have included First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Nicky Marr and the world’s second strongest man Tom Stoltman.
They also include people from all walks of life speaking in their first language – languages spoken include Polish, French and Flemish, with more expected.
Mr Mullery, of Bayview Crescent, said: "We have done this to highlight the challenges to mental health and wellbeing during the pandemic, as many more people are suffering for a variety of reasons, and of course we are in the peak period for suicides until the end of March.
"The campaign started early January and we intend to run until the end of March showing a different person each day."
He said a number of organisations used the same phrase and added: "We have used the slogan it’s okay not to be okay since the beginning of James Support Group in April 2018, and we needed a way to reach people by video. The First Minister gave us this in February last year, and we have been waiting for the right time to use it.
"The response has been 99.9 per cent positive with many grateful comments thanking the subject of the video for doing it, and some have included a glimpse of their own struggle which is very brave & inspiring.
"They are short recordings of around four to five seconds simply saying 'it’s okay not to be okay' although some are longer where a short personal story is included.
"We have shared each video with other groups across the Highlands to maximise the coverage of this important message.
Anyone with a vested interest in mental health and suicide awareness can be involved and they are urged to send a personal message to Mr Mullery on Facebook or send a clip saying the phrase to support@jamessupportgroup.com.
Alternatively send a text message to 07563 572471 – which is the charity's 24/7 helpline.
To make a donation click on the donate tab at www.jamessupportgroup.com, via Paypal or Just Giving, where you can choose the Gift Aid option.
Related: Support group set to expand to other parts of Ross-shire
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