New director appointed by The Mental Health Foundation

The Mental Health Foundation has selected Isabella Goldie as its new director of delivery and development.

Ms Goldie is a passionate advocate of human rights and equality for people with mental health problems and previously worked as head of Scotland for the charity from 2005-2014.

Her new responsibilities include research and policy programmes for the organisation as well as managing a team of staff who specialise in research and policy in addition to being responsible for learning disability and equality issues.

The charity’s chief executive, Jenny Edwards said: “We are delighted that Isabella will now be operating on a UK wide basis and bringing her wealth of knowledge and expertise to our new department of development and delivery.”

Ms Goldie believes that the arts can play a role in reducing stigma and discrimination and chaired the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival, as well as leading the next phase of the Scottish Government’s national anti-stigma programme.

Ms Goldie has a masters in public mental health from the University of Glasgow and worked as a mental health nurse for the NHS for nine years.

Ms Goldie said: “I look forward to working with the talented and diverse team ranging from specialists in infant and maternal mental health through later life and ensuring that the voice of the Foundation continues to be a significant one amongst policy makers right across our four nations.”

Ms Goldie is a supporter of VOX, the Scottish mental health service user organisation which works with other mental health services to encourage users to have the opportunity to contribute to changes within the service.

Her most recent achievements include overseeing the merger of The Mental Health Foundation with the Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health and she was also responsible for heading the 10 year review of mental health services for the Scottish Government.

The Mental Health Foundation works to increase awareness of all mental health issues and aims to help people live mentally healthier lives.