Poet Angela McCrimmon shares what See Me and the See Us movement means to her. You can check out more of Angela’s work in her sophomore book, Resilience: A Person, Not Just a Patient.
There are a few organisations where it’s an exciting place to be,
But none more exciting than one in Scotland called, “See Me,”
The fight discrimination and stigma to the core,
I volunteer my time for them yet I get so much more.
They value “lived experience” and always offer choice,
Over the last few years they’ve helped me find my voice,
Well, maybe I’d found my voice but the platform they provide,
Is one which is respected and reaches Nationwide.
I never know what opportunity that they might throw my way,
There’s never any pressure and sometimes I’ll even say,
“Sorry, I’m not feeling good, my energy is low,”
To know I can say that with no guilt is how I know…
I’m with the right people as I help out with campaigns,
I’m more than a “patient” I’m much more than just a “name,”
They’re full of encouragement when I have moments of self-doubt,
They remind me that this “cause” is what I am all about!
To help create a world where we can live stigma free,
Mental health won’t be “hushed” and will be spoken of freely,
Barriers broken as this movement sweeps on through,
It’s a privilege to be a part of such an amazing thing to do.
They’ve played a big part in where I stand today,
They’ve given me a voice and it’s done in such a way,
That the platform they give me already holds such respect,
So the voice of lived experience we find is often met….
…Met with real interest, we are valued so much more,
I can remember in the past when people would have closed the door,
But thanks to our campaigning it’s becoming clear to me,
The voice of lived experience really does hold the key.
We need the Professionals, of course they have their place,
But slowly I think even they are beginning to make space,
To see that we are people, lives beyond our mental health,
Understanding our experience has a currency of wealth.
So thank you to “See Me” for everything you do,
For helping the world to also “See Us” too,
The campaigns that I’ve been part of all help my self-esteem,
Thanks to you I’m not afraid for my mental health to be seen.
You can learn more about the See Us movement on our website, and how your involvement is important towards ending mental health stigma and discrimination.
