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Crisis in mental health in Caithness following deaths 'related to suicide and drug overdose.'


By Gordon Calder

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Caithness has a crisis in mental health and addiction issues “in the wake of ongoing incidents and deaths related to suicide and drug overdose”.

That is the assessment of Caithness Cares, which has been set up with Scottish Government funding as a pilot project that aims to tackle the issues.

Nicola Sinclair wants action on mental health and drug issues. Picture: DGS
Nicola Sinclair wants action on mental health and drug issues. Picture: DGS

Those involved have declared an emergency in the county and say it will work on “an immediate response” to the problems.

Highland Council, NHS Highland, Police Scotland and other groups across the community, are involved in the initiative to promote mental health and wellbeing in young people between five and 26.

The pilot – which was launched in Caithness and could be replicated across Highland – takes a “whole system” approach to the issues, including support for families, crisis and recovery initiatives, early intervention, activities for young people and educational resources.

Two local Highland councillors, Karl Rosie and Nicola Sinclair, emphasised the devastating impact that premature deaths have on the community.

Mr Rosie, a Thurso and northwest Caithness ward member, said: “These are very difficult times and we need to work together and with NHS Highland to tackle the challenges openly and bring about change. It’s crucial we pull together as a community and rebuild hope.”

Caithness was chosen as the pilot area for Highland Council in November last year and held two large virtual stakeholder workshops to understand what Caithness needs, with more than 80 groups sharing their views and expertise.

In January, a steering group was put in place and a strategic lead provided by Highland Council. There are now five work groups working on action plans which offer immediate and longer-term goals.

Wick and East Caithness councillor Nicola Sinclair said: “We have here a fantastic opportunity for Caithness, but also one that is very wide-ranging and challenging.

“Ultimately, we are talking about people’s lives, and against the backdrop of the pandemic. It’s a balancing act between getting it right and delivering quickly.”

Although the project is still in its early stages, it has already put in place some immediate plans on awareness raising and breaking stigma. Local businesses and parents will be provided with mental health and suicide awareness and trauma-informed training, while staff at Dounreay will get training on how the teenage brain develops.

Allan Tait, of Caithness Voluntary Group, is involved in the pilot.

He said: “Through feedback from the resilience groups working in the local community it was clear that mental health issues were a concern both during the pandemic and for many years before.

“The high level of participation by the community sector shows the urgency of the situation. It’s very clear that we need to improve the availability of more specialist, psychiatric support at the same time as providing sustainable, community-led solutions – and Caithness Cares is now in a good place to move those conversations forward and deliver what Caithness needs.”


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