AN Erskine woman is helping to smash the stigma surrounding mental health issues after creating a pack to help instil equality into schools, workplaces and clubs.

Suzanne Baines has helped create the See Me Scotland Communities Can pack, which has a range of information, activities and tools that can be used by institutions to ensure people struggling with their mental health are not treated unfairly.

The 48-year-old has been working to tackle stigma in her community through her project You Matter Always, which looks to empower people to believe in themselves.

Suzanne said: “I think communities are an integral part of society because they provide a sense of belonging and acceptance that connects us to civilisation in an inclusive, productive and meaningful way.

“I have lots of experience working with communities. This includes continually striving to silence mental health stigma through walks, talks and events in collaboration with my own family unit, friends groups, workplaces and volunteering groups.”

READ MORE: Erskine mum opens up on battle with mental health issues to help others

It is hoped the pack will help people in communities challenge discrimination and start talking more about mental health.

See Me Scotland, a national programme designed to end mental health stigma, found almost a quarter of people don’t feel comfortable speaking about mental health in their community.

The number was even higher for those experiencing mental health problems, with almost a third of people saying they wouldn’t speak up about it.

Toni Groundwater, See Me’s social movement manager, said: “People with mental health problems should be able to participate in society without fear of exclusion.”

To download the pack, visit here.

Read all the latest from Renfrewshire and beyond