Edinburgh MP calls for signs and mural to raise awareness of mental health support

Edinburgh West Lib Dem MP Christine Jardine has called for ScotRail to join forces with mental health charities in the Capital to install awareness signs around Haymarket station.

Christopher Rutterford with the mural in Colinton tunnel Photo: Lisa Ferguson

And she wants to bring local communities and mental health services together to renovate Saughton underpass in a similar way to the transformation of the Colinton tunnel where artist Chris Rutterford led a two-year project creating a massive community mural.

Her call comes after mental health charities Samaritans and Breathing space collaborated with Network Rail to design and unveil a mural at Glasgow Central Station aimed at raising awareness of mental health support services available across the country.

Ms Jardine said: “The pandemic has undoubtedly affected many people’s mental health with people feeling increasingly lonely – and sadly this January is likely to be particularly difficult, so I really want people across Edinburgh to be aware of the support services available to them.

Edinburgh West Lib Dem MP Christine Jardine Photo: Aaron Chown/PA Wire

“The pandemic has brought into sharp focus the need for better awareness of the help available so with Haymarket being one of the busiest Scottish stations, I think this would be an ideal location for advice signs.

“I also really want to involve local charities and communities in a project which will not only be a chance to highlight the importance of mental health but also provide an opportunity to renovate an area and for residents to be truly involved in the process.

“Liberal Democrats are determined to put mental health on a level playing field to physical health. Mental health can affect us all, when we least expect it, so it should be regarded with the same understanding as a broken leg.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.