A-maze-ing sum raised for Mikeysline at Belladrum

Mental health charity Mikeysline has received a four-figure donation from Scotland’s largest industrial supply group after an a-maze-ing fundraising drive at the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival.

Highland Industrial Supplies constructed a pallet maze at the popular music festival, raising £2,500 as festival-goers traversed the tricky course.

The funds will be used by Mikeysline to provide often-lifesaving mental health support and suicide prevention services across the Highlands and Moray, through face-to-face and text-based support.

Garry Mackintosh, managing director of Highland Industrial Supplies said: “We were thrilled with the response to our pallet maze at Belladrum, and to have raised so much money for Mikeysline in the process – allowing the charity to continue its great work in the community.

“As a local business working with a charity close to the community’s heart, it was important to us to engage with our customers, friends and families at a grassroots level.

Mikeysline volunteers Ben Steedman, Melissa Murdoch, and Conner Sutcliffe(l-r) at Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival.

“It’s also important to us to encourage outdoor events and activities in our community. This went hand-in-hand with supplying 2,000 free hi-vis vests for children at the festival, which not only promoted Mikeysline but also allows them to be seen safely during the upcoming winter months.”

Mr Mackintosh has also sponsored the majority of Mikeysline advertising boards being erected at shinty clubs across the Highlands, as part of the charity’s partnership with the Camanachd Association which aims to promote positive mental health messages in rural and remote communities.

Mikeysline CEO Emily Stokes added: “We were delighted to receive such a generous donation from Highland Industrial Supplies following its hugely popular pallet maze at Belladrum.

“Getting outside, and getting some fresh air and exercise, is a fantastic way to relieve stress and anxiety – so anything that encourages people to get up and active is great for the community’s wellbeing.

“Depression and low mood is often linked with the winter months, but it’s just as easy to feel down or under pressure when the sun is shining brightly. We want everyone to know that it’s ok not to be ok, and that support is available if you feel things are getting to be too much to handle on your own.”

Since 2015, Mikeysline has offered confidential, non-judgemental support to people of all ages dealing with mental health issues, emotional distress or thoughts of suicide in the Highlands and Moray. It does this via a text line service at 07786 207755; WhatsApp at 01463 729000 and via its website; and live chat, Twitter and Messenger via its website.

The charity also produces a popular podcast, Speaking of Suicide, and offers face-to-face support in four Hives across the region – at its Inverness headquarters, Tesco in Tain, The Place in Alness, and now the Highland Yoga Collective in Nairn.

Mikeysline calls for greater awareness of male suicide this Men’s Health Week

A leading mental health and suicide prevention charity is highlighting the high levels of male suicide in Scotland this International Men’s Health Week (June 13-19).

Mikeysline, headquartered in Inverness and supporting communities across the Highlands and Moray, has established a men’s group to provide a safe and confidential space for men to share their concerns.

Run by men for men, the group meets monthly on Wednesdays from 6.30-7.30pm at the charity’s Inverness Hive at 19 Academy Street.  The next two meetings are due to be held on 15th June and 20th July.

Volunteers like Reece are providing face-to-face mental health support in the Highlands and Moray with Mikeysline.

According to the latest statistics from the National Records of Scotland, men accounted for 71% of suicides in Scotland in 2020. In every year since 1985, more than 70% of people dying from suicide have been male.

Mikeysline men’s group volunteer Graeme said: “Traditionally men struggle to talk openly about their emotions. Whether men feel like addressing their feelings is a show of weakness, feel ashamed for needing help, or are embarrassed to be struggling, it can be easy for them to bottle up their emotions until they feel like they are at breaking point.

“Although thankfully these old stereotypes are starting to fade, there is still so much to be done to support men through difficult times in their lives – and Mikeysline’s new men’s group goes some way to continuing that process alongside the text-based and 1:1 support we provide.

“By allowing men to gather together and share their concerns and feelings, it opens up the conversation that it’s ok not to be ok – and that there are others out there going through similar experiences. Just knowing you are not fighting this battle alone can make all the difference.

“Each session is themed around a relevant topic, chosen by the group at the previous meeting. As well as providing support and an introduction to Mikeysline’s other services, the men’s group offers a chance for men to socialise and meet other people with shared interests.”

Volunteers like Graeme are providing face-to-face mental health support in the Highlands and Moray with Mikeysline.

Mikeysline volunteer Keith added:

“Talking can be hard sometimes, but it can be powerful too. We have a safe and welcoming place where that can happen. Come and join us.  No pressure to be anyone but who you are. No pressure to say anything at all if you don’t want to. Just being with us can be enough.”

In 2020, suicides in Scotland were highest for men aged 35-39. Overall, one in every five suicide deaths was to some under the age of 30.

Mikeysline was founded in 2015 following the tragic deaths of good friends, Martin Shaw and Michael (Mikey) Williamson within 48 hours of each other. Mikey’s uncle, Ron Williamson, started the charity along with a group of like-minded individuals who wanted to provide greater mental health support for the Highlands, where suicide rates are higher than elsewhere in Scotland.

Rom Williamson said: “Speaking to many of Michael’s friends & peers after his funeral made me aware that there was very little help available for young people struggling with a multitude of mental health issues. What help there was seemed to be basically ‘man up & soldier on’, all in hushed terms.

Volunteers like Gary are providing face-to-face mental health support in the Highlands and Moray with Mikeysline.

“Over the seven years since Mikeysline started, thankfully more & more small organisations are breaking through this ‘macho’ barrier, and encouraging those struggling to open up, share, and help each other. Local celebrities such as the Stoltman brothers, football managers & players, and leaders in commerce are sharing their experiences, letting people know that it’s OK to talk.

“Now, in schools throughout the Highlands, the wonderful Mikeysline team is teaching resilience and hope to children at an age when this kind of training, and the assurance that they are not alone, is most needed to give them the armour they need to cope with future problems.”

Mikeysline offers confidential, non-judgemental support to people of all ages dealing with mental health issues, emotional distress or thoughts of suicide in the Highlands and Moray. It does this via a text line service at 07786 207755; WhatsApp at 01463 729000 and via its website; and live chat, Twitter and Messenger via its website. The charity also produces a popular podcast, Speaking of Suicide, and offers face-to-face support from four Hives across the region – at its Inverness headquarters, Tesco in Tain, The Place in Alness, and the Highland Yoga Collective in Nairn.

For more information, visit www.mikeysline.co.uk – or find Mikeysline on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Mikeysline partners with Camanachd Association to provide mental health support to rural Highland communities

A leading Scottish mental health and suicide prevention charity is partnering with the world governing body for Scottish shinty to spread the word about its support services available in rural Highland communities.

Mikeysline has teamed up with the Camanachd Association to highlight the text-based support services available to people who may be struggling with their mental health, in emotional distress, or experiencing thoughts of suicide.

Mikeysline CEO Emily Stokes said:

“We want everyone in the Highlands and Moray to know that Mikeysline’s services are available to them – no matter where they live.”

Strathglass Shinty Club has included the Mikeysline logo on their shirt sleeve to raise awareness of the charity.

“While we have a strong presence in Inverness and larger towns, we want to get the message out there to rural communities that it’s ok not to be ok and that we are here to provide non-judgemental support if they need it.

“Partnering with the Camanachd Association allows us to get to the heart of many rural communities, where shinty provides a connective link between local residents.

“Sadly, Highland shinty teams have in the past experienced high suicide rates – including in Fort William. By working together with shinty clubs across the region, we are able to not only connect with players, but also their friends, families and communities to share information about the support services we offer.”

Banners, signage and on-kit logos are amongst the ways that clubs Caberfeidh, Strathglass and Beauly have so far shown their support – with the charity hoping to secure more prominent display space at other grounds across the Highlands in the coming weeks.

Beauly players Finlay MacLennan (left) and Torrin Cairns (centre) – alongside Dr Jaffery from Croyard Road Surgery – following the erection of the new pitchside Mikeysline banner at Braeview Park.

“We have also already joined the Camanachd Association’s Shinty Chaplaincy scheme, and our chaplain Gordon Martin is available to listen to our members and offer pastoral advice.

“We are proud of the steps we have taken to combat mental health issues, and will continue to work with partners and charities wherever possible.”

Since 2015, Mikeysline has offered confidential, non-judgemental support to people of all ages with mental health issues or in emotional distress in the Highlands and Moray via a text line service at 07786 207755; WhatsApp at 01463 729000 and via its website; and live chat, Twitter and Messenger via its website. The charity also produces a popular podcast, Speaking of Suicide, and offers face-to-face support from three Hives across the region – at its Inverness headquarters, at Tesco in Tain, and at The Place in Alness. 

For more information, visit www.mikeysline.co.uk – or find Mikeysline on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.