References & Recommendations

Michel and Suzy ran a brilliant staff workshop, focusing on raising awareness of mental health in the workplace.
“We also set up a working group to develop our Wellbeing at Work policy and through the workshop staff had opportunities to give feedback and views on what they felt was suitable our organisation.
“Altogether it was an enlightening and highly valued engagement which has made a big difference for each of us as individuals and the collective culture of the organisation.”
George Thomson, chief executive of Volunteer Development Scotland

The Service User is at the heart of everything The Cairn do. When it comes to intelligent, realistic and well thought through advice based on first-hand experience you can't do better. The team at The Cairn really know their stuff and any time spent listening to them and their experiences is truly enriching and inspirational. November, 2011
Pennie Latin, Senior Radio Producer and Presenter, BBC Scotland

The Cairn have supported and inspired many towards greater understanding of mental health in Scotland. Their knowledge, experience and dedication to mental health improvement is truly outstanding. November. 2011
Dougie Paterson, Programme Manager, NHS Health Scotland

First rate writing and music (Bad Alice Music) , but above all else a human and humane approach to mental health, coming from the angle of lived experience. Thoroughly recommended. October 2011
Alisdair Cameron, Team Leader, Launchpad

‘At SRN we’ve worked extensively with The Cairn team. Collectively and individually they offer an informed and distinct perspective on all things mental health related. They bring insight and creativity to their work, communicating with clarity and passion.’
Simon Bradstreet, Network Director, Scottish Recovery Network

Thank you from all in our group and particularly myself for your contribution on Tuesday. I feel a sense of achievement having been so moved by Suzy and know that you both have given many food for thought.
Cindy Anderson, 4th year Psychology, Stirling University.

Jean Johnston and Suzy Johnston have given me a valuable insight into mental health from differing perspectives. The mother and daughter speak from experience and are held in high regard as both are well respected voices in mental health.
Lord John McFall, House of Lords, Westminster, London

Suzy Johnston is an articulate proponent of patient/service user primacy within the mental health system. She has the rare ability to marry personal narrative with political analysis and an astute understanding of the workings of the mental health system to present a powerful argument that keeps at its heart the individuals whose lives and hopes the subject intimately concerns.
Catherine Jackson, Editor, Mental Health Today Magazine.

Nobody could describe or write about mental illness any better – she is spot on when it comes to telling what it is like. But people must listen to her – she is so wise about what is needed – and how it should be.
Tricia Bignall, Service user, Argyll and Bute.

The best way to learn about recovery from mental illness is through the wisdom of those who are living the experience. She reminds us how integral support is – support from family, friends and communities as well as mental health services. Her writing is an invaluable learning resource for all who are working towards Recovery.
Christine Gayler MSW, CAGS, CCRC, CPRP, Consultant and Field Associate, Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Boston University, USA.

Thank you again for the Naval Personnel and Family Workshop. Your presentation was honest and humourous and was well received by the team.
It has also prompted all of us to read your books and continue to develop our knowledge of mental health and well being. We were particularly impressed by Suzy’s coping strategies for managing her health and crisis periods and Jean’s fighting spirit in supporting Suzy to campaign for improved services for all mental health sufferers and their support services. A very rewarding and stimulating workshop.
Brenda Cormack /Clyde Neptune, NPFS Team Manager

‘Having direct experience of how people with mental health problems are treated, Suzy Johnston is able to offer valuable insight as to the ‘system’ and how it could be improved. A passionate and committed advocate for those with mental illness and being clever and articulate, hers is a voice which is difficult to ignore. Having benefited from her knowledge, I have no hesitation in recommending Suzy as an Adviser on mental health issues.’
Jackie Baillie MSP (Member of Scottish Parliament)

I have known Suzy and Jean Johnston for the past 4 years having first met them at an event at Faslane Navel Base at a mental health awareness event. Since then I have experienced Suzy and Jean as passionate advocates for Breathing Space and many of the other foundational Mental Health services throughout Scotland . They have both been very supportive of the work and care that the service provides and act in an informal way freely giving of their time, ideas and feedback. Their first hand experience of living and working with mental health sets them apart to be a truly distinctive voice in mental health advocacy, training and awareness. Team Cairn will not disappoint and with the addition of Michel and Ollie then the foundation stones are truly set for a multidisciplinary approach to mental health training and awareness with most importantly a backbone of peer supervision which this team will view as necessary and sufficient.
Tony McLaren
National Coordinator
Breathing Space and NHS Living Life