TOP model agencies refused to take part in a major campaign to fight the stigma of mental ill-health because they did not want to be associated with conditions such as anorexia, schizophrenia and depression.

When agencies were telephoned by organisers of the See Me campaign they declined to help, saying it would not be "appropriate" for their models to be involved.

Instead, campaigners e-mailed students in psychology departments at Scottish universities in a bid to sign up volunteer models.

The revelation will come as an embarrassment to the Scottish Executive, which launched the campaign last year. Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm said that its fundamental aim was to "eliminate and reduce the stigma, discrimination, prejudice and harassment that people with mental health problems experience".

He added: "If mental ill-health is stigmatised and people are discriminated against, then people who do develop mental health problems will be more reluctant to seek help and more determined to keep any problems bottled up."

The launch coincided with new figures reinforcing claims that one in four of the population has suffered from mental health problems.

Since October, the campaign, funded by the Executive's (pounds) 4 million mental health improvement programme and backed by five charities, has been seen on television, billboards and in cinemas and more than 90,000 leaflets and posters have been distributed.


Using the slogan, "See me as a person, not a label", it uses images of individuals to highlight a range of mental health problems.

See Me campaign co-ordinator Linda Dunion refused to name the model agencies involved. But she said: "I understand that when they were approached by telephone to ask if they would be prepared to get involved we were given a straightforward 'no' at a very early stage."

She added: "It's extremely disappointing that a profession that does so much to shape attitudes wouldn't want to take part in such an important campaign.

"There is an irony here given that eating disorders are problems that are very often linked to supermodels. Just because you look good, it does not mean that you won't suffer from mental health problems.

"If model agencies are not prepared to participate in the campaign they are helping to reinforce the myth that there is something to be ashamed about in experiencing mental ill-health. The likelihood is that one in four models will experience such problems in a year."

Tomorrow, the See Me campaign will launch the second part of its anti-stigma drive, called Stigma Stop Watch, in which it will urge the media not to use terms such as "nutter" or "psycho" when discussing psychiatric problems.

Campaigners will compile a database of derogatory coverage and will encourage the public to protest and log comments on the See Me website (www.seemescotland.org).

The organisers believe there is a direct correlation between inflammatory media coverage and discrimination against people with mental ill-health. A recent survey revealed 60% of people with mental illness experienced discrimination.

National Hand Model Search in New York City on June 12th

WHO: Hundreds of hand-model hopefuls are expected as Cutex(R), the
popular nail polish remover line, and Parts Models modeling
agency join hands once again to kick-off their national hand
model search

WHAT: 2nd Annual Cutex(R) Perfect 10(TM) National Hand Model Search
Open Call in NYC

WHEN: Thursday, June 12th, 7 to 9 p.m.

WHERE: Acqua Beauty Bar, 7 East 14th Street, NYC

WHY: The hand model contest winner, to be announced in January
2004, will receive a $1,000 cash prize, a year's supply of
Cutex Essential Care products and a possible hand-modeling
contract with Parts Models, where top models can earn up to
$3,000 per day. Last year's national winner, Angie Caraballo
of Manhattan, is now a working hand model. Caraballo, along
with Dani Korwin, president/owner of Parts Models, will be at
the event.

Starting at 7 p.m., women and men (we don't discriminate!) in the New York-metro area who are 18 years or older can enter their hands in the contest, live, at the popular salon. There will be a photographer on site to take free hand photos of entrants. There is no charge or purchase required to enter the contest. Those who enter the contest that evening will receive free Cutex product (while supplies last), so arrive early.

If you think you or a friend has a "Perfect 10," come to Acqua Beauty Bar, 7 East 14th Street, NYC, on June 12th. For those who can't make it to the event, entries will be accepted by mail through December 31, 2003. Visit www.cutexnails.com for contest details and a downloadable entry form.

Cutex(R) and Parts Models Modeling Agency of NYC Kick Off the 2003

National Hand Model Search in New York City on June 12th

WHO: Hundreds of hand-model hopefuls are expected as Cutex(R), the
popular nail polish remover line, and Parts Models modeling
agency join hands once again to kick-off their national hand
model search

WHAT: 2nd Annual Cutex(R) Perfect 10(TM) National Hand Model Search
Open Call in NYC

WHEN: Thursday, June 12th, 7 to 9 p.m.

WHERE: Acqua Beauty Bar, 7 East 14th Street, NYC

WHY: The hand model contest winner, to be announced in January
2004, will receive a $1,000 cash prize, a year's supply of
Cutex Essential Care products and a possible hand-modeling
contract with Parts Models, where top models can earn up to
$3,000 per day. Last year's national winner, Angie Caraballo
of Manhattan, is now a working hand model. Caraballo, along
with Dani Korwin, president/owner of Parts Models, will be at
the event.

Starting at 7 p.m., women and men (we don't discriminate!) in the New York-metro area who are 18 years or older can enter their hands in the contest, live, at the popular salon. There will be a photographer on site to take free hand photos of entrants. There is no charge or purchase required to enter the contest. Those who enter the contest that evening will receive free Cutex product (while supplies last), so arrive early.

If you think you or a friend has a "Perfect 10," come to Acqua Beauty Bar, 7 East 14th Street, NYC, on June 12th. For those who can't make it to the event, entries will be accepted by mail through December 31, 2003. Visit www.cutexnails.com for contest details and a downloadable entry form.

Models: CHLOE HAYWARD/Select Model Management as Lauren Bacall, STEPHANIE B/Models 1 as Tippi Hedren and Gloria Swanson, DONNA McPHAIL/FM MODELS as Rita Hayworth, ANNABELLE/Models 1 as Diana Dors, INEZ ALDRED/Premier Model Management London as Ava Gardner, HEATHER/Models 1 as Katharine Hepburn, JULIA JAMOIS/Premier Model Management London as Josephine Baker, and KITTI/FM Models as Jean Harlow. Hair: DUFFY/premier-agency.com. Makeup: SAM BRYANT/Holy Cow. Manicure: SOPHY ROBSON/premier-agency.com. Special thanks: DARLING PRODUCTIONS; ANDY WHITTON; MARK SANDERS. Cosmetics by M*A*C. Opposite: Jacket by YVES SAINT LAURENT. Hat by PHILIP TREACY FOR JASPER CONRAN. Fragrance: CINEMA BY YVES SAINT LAURENT.

CHILDREN UNDER the age of 16 are to be banned from catwalks and fashion shoots by the world's biggest modelling agency, the Elite group in New York, which is also encouraging other agencies to follow suit.

The company announced its change in policy after the recent investigation by Donal MacIntyre, an undercover BBC reporter, into alleged sexual exploitation and drug abuse in the agency's European sister firm, Elite Europe.

John Casablancas, chairman of the group, has drawn up a new code of conduct barring under-16s from being models and under-18s from travelling abroad to work unless they are accompanied by a relative. He is urging all New York-based model agencies to implement the same policy, which will apply to all Elite's centres of operation and come into effect next month.

Mr MacIntyre's programme prompted the resignation of Gerald Marie, Elite's European president, and Xavier Moreau, president of the Elite Model Look Contest. Two other employees have been suspended. In MacIntyre Undercover, Mr Marie was filmed propositioning an investigator Lisa Brinkworth, when she posed as a model, allegedly offering her pounds 300 to sleep with him. He has since dismissed the offer as a "drunken joke". He also said he wanted to seduce finalists from the Elite Model Look Contest, whose average age is 15, according to the BBC.

Mr Moreau was recorded saying to friends over dinner: "Africa would be OK if they were all white", and later: "I don't like black girls". The programme also included various accounts of illegal drug- taking.

After the programme was broadcast Mr Casablancas rushed out an "unconditional apology to models and their families".

The Agency-Downtown, formerly Jeanine's Modeling and Talent Agency, recently held a grand opening celebration at their new offices at 422 E. Vermijo Ave., Suite 401.

The company was established in 1968 by Jeanine Stanley and was acquired by a former employee, Darra Robertson-Pingel, in April.

The agency provides professional talent and modeling services to companies both locally and nationally in print advertising and photography, TV advertising, radio voiceovers, fashion and trade shows.

Window-covering firm open

Today's Window Fashions, a locally owned home franchise business, has opened in Colorado Springs.

Offering customers Plantation Shutters, wood blinds, mini-blinds and vertical blinds, the company's e-commerce Web site is at www.to dayswindowfashions.com. Owners Peter Gralka and Barbara Fairbanks may be reached at 391-0916.

Group testing software

Biological Sciences Curriculum Study is seeking high school biology teachers to field test the prototype of a new instructional CD, Developmental Biology: An Interactive CD-ROM, for the high school classroom. The deadline to apply is Sept. 29.