Lib Dems pledge to deliver 'world class' mental health support

The Liberal Democrats have pledged to deliver “world class” mental health treatment with the party outlining plans to fund support in schools and communities.

Leader Alex Cole-Hamilton highlighted new figures revealing that the referral to treatment target for child and adolescent mental health, including psychological services, were “missed again”.

The figures, which came from Public Health Scotland, revealed that 86% of children and young people were seen within 18 weeks of referral.

The Lib Dems highlighted the Scottish Government standard, which states that 90% of children and young people should start treatment within 18 weeks of referral to CAMHS.

Data also revealed that 5,557 children and young people were waiting for treatment for CAMHS and Psychological Therapies respectively at the quarter ending March 2024.

The Liberal Democrats are proposing to improve mental health support to young people by increasing tax payments from social media companies, with the party claiming the move could fund mental health support in schools and communities throughout Scotland.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said: “The SNP are presiding over an ever-deepening crisis in mental health treatment in Scotland. The SNP have unleashed tens of millions of cuts on mental health, only adding to the agony of everyone struggling to be seen.

“My party has spent years pressing the government about the importance of putting mental health practitioners into surgeries in every corner of Scotland, cutting waiting lists and improving access to mental health support. These figures show why we need action now more than ever.

“Scotland needs world-class mental health services. Scottish Liberal Democrats will deliver them.

“That’s why we’ve set out plans to increase the tax paid by the social media giants – a move that could help fund more mental health support in schools and get more professionals close to where you live.”