Caithness councillor calls on Scottish Govt and NHS Highland to 'face up to reality' on mental health issues
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A CAITHNESS councillor has called on the Scottish Government and NHS Highland to"face up to reality" on mental health issues.
Matthew Reiss, a Thurso and Northwest Caithness ward representative, made the plea after hearing the police in Thurso had to deal with 60 calls relating to mental health, concern for person and missing people in a month.
Speaking at the most recent meeting of the Thurso Community Council, Mr Reiss – a retired police officer – said: "The Scottish Government and NHS Highland should face up to reality on this. The police are having to look after people with problems and it is taking up hours and hours of their time. They have some training but it is not their job."
He claimed other agencies should be helping out so officers could be deployed on other duties.
Community councillor, Colin Johnston, agreed and said: "It is hard on the police. They are not trained for that."
They spoke out after Sergeant Stephen Todd gave his monthly report on the number incidents dealt with by the officers in Thurso.
He was asked a number of questions relating to police on the beat, anti-social behaviour and vandalism.
Members felt part of the problem is there is not enough for youngsters to do and they get involved in trouble.
Community councillor, Billy Sinclair, said there are a number of clubs which cater for young people and others, including squash, golf, youth club, dance groups, gymnastics and others. "There are lots of things to do in the town if you have the will to do them," he said.
Michele Dinger, who with her husband bought the St Andrew's Church in Olrig Street in Thurso and plans to turn it into a community asset, said: "We are doing the building up to give young people somewhere to go."
As previously reported, community councillor and former police officer, Iain Gregory, said "huge pressure"
is being put on the police as they respond to calls where people are at "breaking point".
He said last year local police attended 695 "concern for person" incidents – almost two a day.
Mr Gregory said the situation is the same all over Scotland with officers spending "a huge amount of time" on such calls. "We are expecting police officers to become the catch-all for society," he said.
The local authority area of Thurso and Northwest Caithness accounted for 379 incidents, while there were 316 in Wick and East Caithness.
The Scottish Government has said it will invest £290 million in mental health support and services.
