Young people face mental health wait

Forty percent of children and young people referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in Scotland are waiting over 18 weeks for treatment, according to new figures from Public Health Scotland.

A shocking 14.6% had to wait over 36 weeks to start treatment, with 7.9% waiting over a year.

The figures cannot be simply blamed on the pandemic. According to Public Health Scotland, between January and March this year 35% of those referred to CAMHS had to wait over 18 weeks for treatment, with 8.5% waiting over 36 weeks and 9.2% waiting over a year.

“The lack of support shown by these figures is disgraceful,” said Caron Lindsay, Scottish Liberal Democrats candidate for Almond Valley. “A child who is struggling with their mental health needs help now. No young person should have to wait more than a year to be seen.”

“The impact that this will have on the wellbeing and education of these children is heart-breaking,” she added. “Scottish Liberal Democrats want to see more professionals being trained, more counsellors in schools and more walk-in services at A & E and crisis centres. Our Covid recovery has to have improving mental health at its heart.”