New Ambassador for Mikeysline

Caley Thistle’s recently appointed sporting director John Robertson has signed up to another new role – ambassador with Highland mental health charity Mikeysline.

He joins Inverness-born Hollywood star Karen Gillan, Invergordon strongman Luke Stoltman and former Ross County defender Scott Boyd in offering their support to the charity’s suicide prevention and education work.

Mr Robertson, who has recently been off work due to personal issues, said he had no hesitation in accepting the invitation.

“I want it to be a role that just doesn’t pay lip service – I want to help in any way I can,” he said.

“It is a local charity and I am absolutely delighted to help whether it is through myself and through the football club.”

Mr Robertson said looking after mental health was hugely important. “It is something which has affected me recently and it shows age is no barrier to it,” he said, adding it was important to understand and recognise there was help and people who would listen.

“In my own circumstances, having someone at the end of the telephone to talk about how you feel and [knowing] it was OK to feel like that and there was going to be a way forward, was tremendously helpful.

“It helped me to get on an even keel.”

Mikeysline chairwoman Donna Smith was delighted Mr Robertson had accepted the invitation and said he would be “brilliant” at raising awareness of the charity and its work.

Service manager Emily Stokes said: “John has always been a big supporter of Mikeysline and to have someone of his profile and calibre will build on the work of our other ambassadors.”

Everyone can benefit from mental health awareness sessions

We were delighted to deliver a mental health awareness session at the Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC Stadium recently to the ICTFC first team players and staff.

We discussed with players and staff the importance of good mental health for everyone, the possible signs to look out for in others and how to support conversations and crucially how to access support, including through Mikeysline.

It’s ok not to be ok is always one of our key messages and the importance of talking through any issues at an early stage. This was also emphasised by our Ambassador John Robertson, Sporting Director, ICTFC who closed the session for us.

Why was this relevant for ICTFC players?

No matter who we are, things can happen from time to time in all of our lives that impact on our mental wellbeing. On top of this, for professional footballers, there is at minimum, the added pressure to play well and win on match days and make their fans and club proud.  Pressure and stress can have an adverse effect on anyone and it’s how we are able to deal with it that keeps us physically and mentally well.

As such, we were keen to remind everyone of the importance of talking about things at an early stage if we are struggling with difficult thoughts or feelings -. With someone you can trust – family, friends, team mates or with Mikeysline and to be open and receptive to listening to other colleagues if they need to reach out to someone.  

Nature Photography Competition

We’re launching an amateur nature photography competition on Monday, May 10 to coincide with the start of Mental Health Awareness Week. All proceeds from the competition, which features a grand prize of original artwork by Highland artist Reina Edmiston, will support Mikeysline as we deliver peer-to-peer support and crisis prevention to those in need across the Highlands.

This competition, which is open to all non-professional photographers, will run for two weeks before closing on Monday May 24. Mikeysline staff will then select one winner to receive the prize of ‘Tidelines’, a painting donated by Highland artist Reina Edmiston.

How To Enter

We’re inviting participants to make a donation of £5 per submission on our JustGiving page at justgiving.com/fundraising/MikeyslinePhotoComp. You can then submit your photos either by using the hashtag #MikeyslinePhotoComp when sharing your picture on Instagram and Twitter, or by including your picture in a comment on the Mikeysline Facebook page.

Mikeysline will reopen The Hive on Inverness’ Academy Street on Tuesday, April 27 following temporary closure due to Covid-19.

The Hive is the Highlands’ first out-of-hours mental health support centre, providing free and impartial support for all those who need it. Open seven days a week, the charity offers drop-in sessions from 19:45-21:45 Sunday-Thursday, and until 22:45 on Fridays and Saturdays. Appointments are also available from 18:15-19:30 every day and can be booked by emailing enquiries@mikeysline.co.uk or phoning the Hive on 01463 729 000.

Emily Stokes, service manager at Mikeysline, said:

“The last 12 months have been difficult for so many people, highlighting the need for easily accessible mental health services. We’re delighted to be able to reopen The Hive this month, to provide face-to-face support, listening and guidance to those who need it in our community.

“There are a great many reasons why people may be feeling anxious or depressed, and it’s important to remember that it’s ok not to be ok. In the same way that we need to look after our physical fitness, our mental health also takes work – and we are proud to be here to provide the help and support people need to address any issues they may be facing.

“With The Hive reopening, we’re looking forward to the full rollout of our new young person’s service on a one-to-one basis in the afternoons. We’re also looking forward to meeting in person some of the people who have benefitted from the callback service that we operated throughout lockdown.”

Visits to The Hive will follow all current Covid-19 guidelines to ensure staff, volunteers and the public remain safe at all times. Masks are required to be worn (unless medically exempt) and social distancing measures will be in place throughout the building.

Although unable to provide its full range of face-to-face services during lockdown, Mikeysline offered a nightly callback service allowing people the chance to talk to someone about anything troubling them. The charity has also supported Highlanders with access to crucial appointments and organised one-to-one walks during the winter months.

Emily added: “We are incredibly grateful for the support we have received from individuals, groups and businesses over what have been a very challenging few months for us. Their fundraising, promotion and participation in our recent fundraiser – Miles for Mikeysline – has been amazing.

“We’re coming out of lockdown in a very strong position, giving us the ability to plan ahead and to look at developing additional support services outwith Inverness. Coupled with our involvement in  co-ordinating the Highland arm of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival alongisde the Clay Studio and Mental Health Awareness Week in May, we have a busy – and rewarding – few months ahead.”

The longest day – fundraiser

Saturday 19th June 2021 is this year’s longest day. When we are feeling low, struggling with different emotions or situations, it can feel like the ‘longest day’. However, our aim is to have an uplifting longest day, one where you get to achieve your goal whilst raising awareness of Mikeysline and if you are able, also raise funds for us.

If you would like to support this Mikeysline’s 2021 cyciling fundraiser, we are asking you to:

Choose your route

Make your challenge

Make it your Longest day

What do you need to do?

The above steps and please consider how you can raise funds for Mikeysline. One option may be to set up a fundraising page on a site such as Justgiving – https://www.justgiving.com/ or another fundraising site that you may be familiar with.

We would love to hear about your plans and your achievements and see your photos, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at: enquiries@mikeysline.co.uk should you wish to.

We hope you enjoy your Longest day. Thank you so much for supporting Mikeysline and good luck!