Mental health waiting targets still missed for a third of children and young people

Responding to Public Health Scotland statistics showing the 18-week mental health treatment target is still being missed for 30% of children, with more than 4,000 children and adults waiting a year or more for mental health treatment, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP commented:

“Yet again, we are seeing thousands of children and adults waiting over a year for the help they desperately need. The Government needs to get its head out of the sand.

“The Scottish Government still claims it will clear these dreadful mental health waiting lists by March, but figures like these show that is highly unlikely. SNP and Greens only added to the challenges by cutting £38m from mental health in this year’s budget.

“After getting Parliament to declare a mental health emergency, Scottish Liberal Democrats will continue the fight to give everyone waiting new hope.

“As one of her last acts as First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon should today adopt our proposals for more counsellors in schools, a single point of contact for those on waiting lists, training to be ramped up so that every workplace can benefit from a mental health first aider, and the rollout of more mental health professionals near to you in GP surgeries and A&E departments.”