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Covid-19 pandemic gives 'once in generation' chance to shape a kinder society says Mental Health Foundation Scotland as survey findings revealed


By Hector MacKenzie

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Leanne McKillop: 'I’ve been overwhelmed with the response and it’s great so many people are taking part.'
Leanne McKillop: 'I’ve been overwhelmed with the response and it’s great so many people are taking part.'

Almost three quarters of Scottish adults say it is important that we learn from the coronavirus pandemic to be more kind as a society.

More than six in ten Scottish adults say that when people are kind to them it has a positive impact on their mental health.

And a similar proportion say that being kind to others has a positive impact on their mental health.

The pandemic could also offer a "once in a generation opportunity" to shape a kinder society.

The stand out findings have been released to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week.

The survey findings were published today by the Mental Health Foundation Scotland to mark the start of the awareness week, which this year has the theme of Kindness.

At one level, kindness can be as simple as phoning a friend who is lonely or thanking a colleague for something they have done. However, to have a major impact on improving our mental health we need to take kindness seriously as a society. In particular, we need to make kindness an important part of public policy.

The charity says the report contains strong evidence of the impact of kindness on mental health and offers recommendations on how kindness can be turned into action.

Director of the Mental Health Foundation Scotland Lee Knifton said: “The evidence for the positive impact of kindness on protecting and improving mental health has always been clear. Our own survey has shown there is powerful support from the Scottish public for a kinder approach.

“At one level, kindness can be as simple as phoning a friend who is lonely or thanking a colleague for something they have done. However, to have a major impact on improving our mental health we need to take kindness seriously as a society. In particular, we need to make kindness an important part of public policy.

“The pandemic is an opportunity to do that. Kindness can play an essential role in reducing the social, economic and mental health consequences of the crisis that could last for years to come."

Leanne McKillop, from Greenock, is an example of someone who has brought hope and support to others through her own acts of kindness.

Leanne, who has lived with an eating disorder for most of her life, recently set up a recovery group for others going through the same thing and is continuing to support members during the pandemic, offering online group sessions and free yoga classes.

She said: “I had an eating disorder for most of my adult life and was in and out of hospital on many occasions to try and get help. Thankfully I got through it, but it was a huge struggle and I wanted to set up something for others going through the same thing. I wanted to show that If I can do it, they can do it too and that reaching out can make such a big difference to their mental health.

“I’ve been overwhelmed with the response and it’s great so many people are taking part. It’s fantastic to hear their positive feedback, but it’s a two-way thing and I’m benefitting from helping them as much as they are benefiting from taking part.”

Dr Carolyn McGhie in her bright new scrubs: "I have experienced a huge amount of kindness during this pandemic and it is no exaggeration to say those things have kept me going."
Dr Carolyn McGhie in her bright new scrubs: "I have experienced a huge amount of kindness during this pandemic and it is no exaggeration to say those things have kept me going."

Meanwhile Carolyn McGhie, a GP based in Glasgow, says the kindness she has been shown by the community during the pandemic has been a huge support.

She said: “I have experienced a huge amount of kindness during this pandemic and it is no exaggeration to say those things have kept me going. For example, one of my lovely patients has made me scrubs and scrub bags - they are made to measure and are totally me as they are bright pink and flowery. Prior to this I had only one pair that I had purchased and I was having to wash and dry these nightly. “

We need to challenge the idea that kindness has no relevance to government and public policy. Instead we want to start taking kindness seriously in how we shape political decision-making at all levels.

Carolyn has also been overwhelmed by the small gestures of kindness she’s been shown at this time as a key worker by members of her community, including a package of hand creams being left for her and her colleagues at the surgery, a disposable BBQ to try and make the most of the weather after a long day at work.

The charity is calling on all Scottish Government departments and local authorities to apply a measurable and values-based kindness test to current and new policies. This is to ensure they are informed by kindness, equality, dignity and respect.

Lee said: “We need to challenge the idea that kindness has no relevance to government and public policy. Instead we want to start taking kindness seriously in how we shape political decision-making at all levels.

“Kindness has a role to play in how we run our social security services, how we treat people in our justice system and how we care for people right across health and social care. To achieve this, we need to include a fundamental test for all existing and new policies – are they kind?

“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to re-imagine a kinder society – one that protects all our mental health and especially that of the most vulnerable.”

The Mental Health Foundation organises and hosts Mental Health Awareness Week every year. The week runs from 18th to 24th May and is now in its 20th year.

Mental Health Awareness Week is marked in different ways by organisations and individuals. This year the Foundation is asking people to share their stories of kindness during the Week on social media and also their ideas for how we can build a kinder society, using #KindnessMatters and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek.

“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to re-imagine a kinder society – one that protects all our mental health and especially that of the most vulnerable," said director of the Mental Health Foundation Scotland Lee Knifton.
“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to re-imagine a kinder society – one that protects all our mental health and especially that of the most vulnerable," said director of the Mental Health Foundation Scotland Lee Knifton.

What should happen now?

Key policy recommendations being highlighted for Scotland during the week are:

• Kindness in our economy – Scotland should publish its first Wellbeing Budget drawing on international experience and place wellbeing metrics on an equal footing with GDP.

• Kindness in social security – The Universal Credit advance payment should be made a grant while benefit sanctions, which often lead to poorer mental health, should be halted entirely.

• Kindness in justice – Scotland and the UK should pursue more recovery-focused justice. A public health approach should be pursued in tackling Scotland’s high drug death rate.

• Kindness in communities – Local authorities and the Scottish Government should reverse cuts to vital services and initiatives that many vulnerable groups rely on.

• Kindness in our health service – People in crisis or distress should expect to receive a kind, compassionate response from all healthcare settings, free from stigma or discrimination.

Story or picture to share with us? Email hector.mackenzie@hnmedia.co.uk?

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