STV forges partnership with leading mental health charity

STV has joined forces with the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH).

The three-year partnership aims to increase and improve awareness of mental health and wellbeing in Scotland, drawing on SAMH’s expertise and guidance and STV’s reach and connection with communities across the country.

Through the partnership:

STV and SAMH will seek to increase awareness and improve mental health and wellbeing across a number of target audiences and platforms by creating strong brand association.
They will work together, drawing on the reach, impact and relationships of both organisations – such as STV’s advertising Growth Fund and existing corporate partners – to create an even wider network of support for mental health initiatives across Scotland, including commercial partnerships and fundraising.
SAMH will provide high-level mental health input and guidance for news and production teams, and support STV’s commitments to positive mental wellbeing for its people, production teams, participants in its shows and audiences.
SAMH is the Scottish charity beneficiary of funds raised via the STV/ITV campaign Britain Get Talking, which will again feature prominently in the build up to next week’s Britain’s Got Talent live finals.

In the run-up to World Mental Health Awareness Day on October 10, STV’s news and current affairs teams will focus on the real threat of a mental health crisis due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A series of special reports will run across the week on STV News at Six, starting on Monday, and a special edition of Scotland Tonight, dedicated to mental health, is available on the STV Player.

Billy Watson, chief executive of SAMH, said: “It’s never been more important to do everything we can for Scotland’s mental health.

“We’re delighted to have the opportunity to work in partnership with STV in the vital task of increasing awareness of the issue and providing our communities with clear and accurate information on how to get help.

“We’re grateful to STV for recognising the urgent need for us all to do more on mental health.”

Simon Pitts, chief executive of STV, added: “Now, more than ever, we need to look after our mental health and I’m delighted that we’ll be working even more closely with SAMH over the coming years to help increase and improve awareness of mental health issues and the support that is available.

“We reach millions of Scots every day through our broadcast and digital channels and it’s our privilege to use this platform to help spread this important message.

“I’m confident this partnership will help deliver real impact across Scotland, to our people, our viewers, our partners and our communities.”