Greens will boost mental health services
The Scottish Greens have set out plans for a major expansion of community-based mental health support, including a national roll-out of free walk-in support hubs like the Nook in Glasgow.
The party’s manifesto will also commit to increasing investment in mental health services and reducing waiting times for ADHD and autism assessment and support.
The Scottish Greens say their approach would focus on treatment and also prevention.
Early intervention including warm homes, financial security and accessible local support, along with creating the social conditions that allow people to be mentally well is key to ensuring a fairer mental health support system for Scotland.
Scottish Greens Co-leader, Gillian Mackay MSP said:
“Scotland is in the midst of a mental health crisis. For far too many people support only comes when they are already at breaking point. That isn’t good enough.
“Too many services are overstretched, too many people are stuck on waiting lists, and too many are being left to struggle alone while their health worsens. The cost of living crisis, poverty, poor housing and difficulty accessing support are all taking a huge toll.
“We need to support people where they are, which is why we will roll out free walk-in mental health support hubs across Scotland by building on the success of existing projects like The Nook in Glasgow.
“The Scottish Greens will ensure year-on-year real terms increases in mental health spending over the next Parliament, so that people can get help when they need it, not only when they are in crisis.
“We need to see equality between mental and physical health. That means investing in the staff, services and community support needed to bring down waiting lists.
Gillian added:
“We know that good mental health is not created by the NHS alone. It is shaped by whether people have secure housing, enough money to live on, strong communities and support they can access easily and without stigma.
“A vote for the Scottish Greens is a vote to give everyone the chance to live well, to access support when they need it, and to be treated with dignity.”
