Cole-Hamilton sets out plan to cut waiting times on World Mental Health Day

Speaking on World Mental Health Day, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has put forward his party’s blueprint to cut waiting times and expand services in a bid to ‘deliver the world-beating mental health system Scotland deserves’.  

At the end of September, research by the Royal College of Psychiatrists found that more than half of Scots are “not confident” that they would be able to access mental health support if they need it. Only 11% were optimistic that mental health services would improve.    

Mr Cole-Hamilton said:  

“Many Scots are struggling with their mental health, compounded by the shadow of lockdown and the soaring cost of living.

“The SNP/ Green government added to those challenges with a reckless £50m cut to the mental health budget despite thousands of children and adults waiting more than a year for the treatment they desperately need. Humza Yousaf’s personal promise to clear waiting lists by last March wasn’t worth the paper it was written on.

“Scotland deserves a world-beating system that will tackle the mental health emergency and help people get on in life.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats have set out ambitious plans to cut waiting times, train more staff and boost the number of mental health professionals working alongside schools, GPs, the police and A&E departments. It would mean new hope for mental health.”