Postcode lottery in child mental health treatment
Ross Greer MSP, Education spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, today (7 March) renewed his call for mental health education to be a part of PSE for every school pupil, in light of new waiting time figures showing a postcode lottery in child mental health treatment.
Only seven of Scotland's fourteen health boards are meeting the waiting time target for access by children and young people to specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
Ross said:
“For far too many children in desperate need of help, the support just isn’t there. That only half of health boards are meeting the target for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services is unacceptable.
"Children’s charities are right to call for greater investment in CAMHS as well as preventative spending. We know from research by the Scottish Youth Parliament that most young people do not know what mental health support is available in their area. That is why I’ve been calling for mental health education to be a part of PSE for every school pupil.
“We must see a commitment from the Scottish Government to provide health boards and councils with adequate funding for in-school counselling, counselling services in GP surgeries, greater community support and mental health education and information for all of our young people.”