In a concerning development, a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) has raised serious questions about the progress made in child mental health services. Rhoda Grant, the Labour MSP for the Highlands and Islands, has highlighted significant shortfalls in spending and service delivery, casting doubt on the effectiveness of efforts to support young people’s mental well – being.
Scottish ministers made a commitment to boost the resources allocated to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) by NHS boards. The target was set for each board to spend 1% of its budget on these vital services. However, with the current Scottish Parliament term drawing to a close in less than a year, it has become clear that the majority of boards have failed to meet this goal.
Mrs. Grant revealed that only one NHS board has managed to reach the 1% spending target, while many others, including NHS Highland, are significantly behind. In the case of NHS Highland, spending on CAMHS stands at a mere 0.37%, less than half of what was expected. This shortfall has serious implications for the children and young people in the region who are in need of mental health support.
Grant emphasized the long – term consequences of neglecting childhood mental illness. “It is no secret that if you leave mental illness untreated in childhood, it inevitably leads to mental illness in adulthood with much poorer outcomes,” she warned. She also pointed to the impact of staff shortages on service delivery, noting that the lack of available professionals is contributing to long waiting times for children seeking treatment. During these extended waiting periods, many young people’s mental health conditions deteriorate, making it even more challenging to provide effective care.
Expressing her disappointment, Grant said, “It is highly concerning that, despite the government’s pledge, we are seeing such a significant gap in funding for child mental health services. These young people are our future, and we have a moral obligation to ensure they have access to the support they need when they need it.” She called on the Scottish government to take immediate action to address the funding shortfall, increase staffing levels, and improve the quality and accessibility of CAMHS across the country.
The issue of child mental health has become increasingly urgent in recent years, with growing numbers of young people experiencing mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. The COVID – 19 pandemic has further exacerbated these issues, highlighting the need for robust and well – funded mental health services for children and young people. As the MSP’s concerns demonstrate, there is still much work to be done to ensure that Scotland’s young people receive the support they deserve.
Related topics:
