'Shocking' number of young people waiting for mental health treatment, says north MSP
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A NORTH MSP has described as “shocking” the number of young people in the Highlands waiting for over a year for mental health treatment.
Edward Mountain, the Conservative MSP for the Highlands and Islands, hit out after figures published by Public Health Scotland showed 180 youngsters had to wait more than 12 months for child and adolescent mental health services.
Since the coronavirus pandemic began in March, the number on the waiting list in NHS Highland has risen from 71 to 180 in September – an increase of around 150 per cent. The target time from referral to treatment for specialist services is 18 weeks.
A further 205 young people have had to wait between 18 and 52 weeks.
Across Scotland, a total of 959 patients have been waiting for over a year to begin treatment as of September, which is up by 360 patients compared to the same period in 2019.
Mr Mountain said: “These are shocking figures and show that there is an urgent need to address the growing mental health crisis affecting children and young people in the Highlands.
“It is unacceptable that 385 young patients have been unable to begin their treatment within the 18-week target.
“I fear this could only get worse due to the rise of anxiety and isolation as a result of the lockdown.”
He added: “I am calling on the SNP government to urgently provide NHS Highland with the resources they need to ensure our young people can receive treatment as soon as possible.”
Last week, local health campaigner Bill Fernie welcomed additional funding to help tackle “the rising tide” of mental health issues in the far north.
Mr Fernie, who chairs the Caithness Health Action Team, is pleased a pilot project is being set up here to look at the difficulties being faced by young people.
He said suicide rates and deaths from drug overdoses are “extremely high” in the county.
Money for the initiative has been provided to Highland Council by the Scottish Government.
