A Message from the Editor,

Sonia Last 📝

As I watch the leaves falling, I’m considering creative ways to survive winter with my health and sense of humour intact. I’m hoping that creative pursuits, rural walks, more comedy and meet-ups with life-affirming friends are on the cards.

All the chores I didn’t get around to last year will continue to not-be-gotten-round-to. The dust bunnies can lie in their peaceful burrows unmolested, the peeling paint and threadbare carpets will be considered essential elements for a bohemian life and ‘Creativity’, for better or worse, will be my constant winter companion. And soup – of course, there will always be soup.

Sonia

Sonia Last

Editor

Why Ongoing Support Matters

It’s always powerful when participants highlight what makes MHScot different.

So often, training ends when the session closes. But mental health and wellbeing aren’t “tick box” topics - they need time, practice, and ongoing support.

That’s why our approach goes beyond delivering a course. We create a learning journey that continues long after the training, with resources, community, and guidance to help people embed their skills in real life.

Hearing feedback from our Mental Health First Aid course reminds us why we do what we do: to equip people with the confidence, understanding, and tools that truly last. A huge thank you to this participant for recognising the heart of our work. 💜

MHScot is founded on the core values of social fairness, protection of the planet, honest business practices, collaboration, equitable employment, democratic governance and community empowerment.

What might seem like far-reaching ideals to some, are the ordinary principles governing our working lives. Organisations that buy from social enterprises know that their investment makes a profound difference in the community and enhances their own social contributions.

Social Enterprise UK’s ‘buy social’ initiative provides some ‘facts and figures’ of the impact and importance of this private and social enterprise collaboration.

Steve Bartlett’s post on Facebook perfectly sums up the core elements of a healthy company culture:

Tackling the chores of daily life can be considered radical acts of self-love. A momentary shift in attitude can convince your inner voice that you’re ‘doing this chore as an act of self-care’.

So, when you’re ‘stuck’ in overwhelm and procrastination, try a 15-minute micro action to turn a dreaded chore into a work in progress. Try it tomorrow, ‘mañana mañana’.

Thanks for learning with us.

We wish you pockets full of natural found treasures.

Warm wishes,

Sonia and the MHScot Team

www.mentalhealthscot.land