:

  • Plan your event
  • Why Scotland
  • Resources & support
  • News
  1. Home
  2. World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day

Sian Williamson, Associations & Sectors
2 minutes • October 10, 2023

World Mental Health Day raises awareness of mental health issues and provides an open platform for people to talk openly about what can be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.

Solas Festival

© VisitScotland / Luigi Di Pasquale

In conversation with Chris McCoy Lavery MBE

Mental health is integral to our overall wellbeing, dictating how we think, behave, express our feelings, and perceive the world. We spoke with VisitScotland's Equality, Diversity and Wellbeing Specialist, Chris McCoy Lavery MBE, on how organisations, such as VisitScotland, are helping employees manage and further understand the complexities of mental health. 

“

As an organisation we have formed some great links with Scottish charities that support employees with mental health issues.

Prioritising employee mental health and wellbeing

As an organisation we have formed some great links with Scottish charities that support employees with mental health issues. I have developed a great relationship with Support in Mind Scotland that has resulted in the provision of in-house online workshops for mental health awareness.  

Our current mental health strategy sessions for staff with Liz Newstead cover mindfulness, building our resilience and managing anxiety, which have been a great success. 

VisitScotland also provides all its staff members with free access to the Headspace App which contains a catalogue of interactive meditation, mindfulness and focus sessions and can be used whenever and wherever they wish. 

Our Future Leaders Group encourages young people at VisitScotland to feed into organisational initiatives and decisions. The group has been an incredible support to me since I began working from home.

Chris McCoy Lavery

© VisitScotland

Looking after your mental health

Talking about your issues or concerns is so important for your mental health. The first step is to ask for help. It's not a sign of weakness, it's a sign of strength, and it means you value yourself; you have to tell yourself "I am worth it". 

I have my own personal experiences with mental health. My mum suffered with depression, which is why I pursued counselling as a career. I also experienced severe post-natal depression for a year, and I believe all of my experiences with mental health issues has enriched my understanding of and ability to support others going through their own battles. 

Real empathy is giving someone the time to share and to listen, they will soon tell you what they need. I have spoken with many people over the last three years and most come away from a one-to-one session feeling seen and heard, which is what almost everyone seeks when experiencing difficulties. 

One of the key learning points in our mental health training sessions is about validating someone's feelings and that is the greatest gift you can give someone.  

Find out more about World Mental Health Day.

Other things you might like

:

Geography - The Subject of our Age

:

Making a difference in Scotland’s communities

:

Empowering people through food and community

:

The Green Team

:

Reducing emissions at Cairngorms National Park

Newsletter Sign up

Subscribe here to our newsletter for updates, articles and insights from across the Scottish business events sector.
Sign up Now

About us

  • Policies
  • Accessibility
  • Cookie Policy

Our other sites

  • Business Support Hub
  • VisitScotland for Business
  • VisitScotland for Leisure
  • Scotland.org

Find us on

Find us on

Brand Scotland

© 2025 VisitScotland. All rights reserved.