Far north 'has been forgotten about' over mental health services, says Caithness group
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A Caithness campaign group has expressed dismay at what it calls an "incredibly disappointing and lacklustre response" from the Scottish Government to its plea for better mental health provision in the area.
Steven Szyfelbain, who formed No More Lost Souls last summer, claimed: "Once again it feels we have been forgotten about here in the far north."
The group claims that mental health is a bigger problem in Caithness than Covid-19, based on the number of suicides, and is calling for a safe and secure psychiatric facility to be created in the county.
It also seeks to break the stigma around discussing mental health issues.
Steven, from Wick, drew attention to correspondence with the Scottish Government and two "almost identical" replies received by No More Lost Souls in the space of eight months.
The latest reply from the Scottish Government, dated February 23, was in response to an email earlier that month addressed to health secretary Jeane Freeman and mental health minister Clare Haughey.
It pointed out that “GPs are best placed to advise and guide people regarding appropriate treatment or management of symptoms” and stated: “The Scottish Government wants everyone to receive the best possible care and treatment from our health and care services and expects NHS boards to provide high-quality care that is safe, effective and person-centred.”
The reply gave information about NHS 24 and other services.
Describing it as "incredibly disappointing and lacklustre", Steven said: "Effectively the Scottish Government seems to think there is more than sufficient care provided by the NHS, and that NHS 24 111 and our existing locum doctors, psychiatrists and overworked nurses can handle the crisis that they are refusing to acknowledge.
"We are all aware of the extra support services like Mikeysline, Samaritans and Breathing Space, but they aren't sufficient at times of crisis for individuals needing immediate medical attention for their mental health issues.
"Once again it feels we have been forgotten about here in the far north, and they feel a few placatory words, which are almost identical in each email, are sufficient to assuage us and set us on our merry way, so to speak."
No More Lost Souls maintains that suicides in Caithness have outnumbered Covid-19 deaths in the area since the start of the pandemic. "All are tragic, but to die by suicide is a conscious choice which highlights a very severe failing of the underfunded, understaffed and ill-equipped mental health services we currently have," Steven said.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Mental health support was already an absolute priority for the Scottish Government before the pandemic – but we have further responded to the negative impact we know Covid-19 has had on many people’s mental health.
“Our Mental Health Transition and Recovery Plan, published in October, sets out a wide range of ongoing actions to address the current and future impacts of the pandemic. That includes the remobilisation and renewal of NHS mental health services.
“In addition, the finance secretary last month announced a £120 million Mental Health Recovery and Renewal Fund, taking overall spending on mental health in 2021/22 to over £1.2 billion. The fund will prioritise our ongoing work to improve specialist CAMHS [Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services], address long waiting times and clear waiting-list backlogs. Nearly £10 million will also be allocated to clearing backlogs in psychological therapies waiting lists for adults.
“Since the start of the pandemic, we have provided support and advice through the Clear Your Head campaign. We have also provided immediate support for those experiencing distress by making access the NHS 24 Mental Health Hub available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
"We also continued to prioritise suicide prevention and are taking forward the recommendations from our National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group on responding to the pandemic. This includes developing more timely data on suicides to inform local and national responses.
“A number of boards are receiving a tailored programme of enhanced support based on current CAMHS and psychological therapies performance, and that includes NHS Highland.
“Mental health minister Clare Haughey has also welcomed the publication of the final report of the Independent Review into the Delivery of Forensic Mental Health Services.”
Related stories:
- Urgent plea for safe and secure psychiatric facility in Caithness
- 'For us, the bigger crisis in Caithness has been suicide, not Covid-19'
