SAMH to launch first ever network of walk-in mental health support hubs across Scotland

Scotland is set to launch its first ever network of walk-in mental health support hubs.

Charity SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health) will “end mental health waiting list misery for tens of thousands of people” with £10m project The Nook, offering people experiencing mental health problems a place to get help fast.

Chiefs say there will be no need to book an appointment, obtain NHS referrals, and no waiting lists. Anyone looking for help can walk through the door whenever they need to.

The charity’s headquarters in Glasgow’s city centre will be transformed into the first Nook, with design experts drafted in to make the space welcoming, accessible and inviting for the many thousands of visitors expected when it opens in autumn 2025.

Further Nooks are planned for Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Inverclyde and Lanarkshire, creating a network of mental health support across the country.

Each Nook will also include an extensive outreach programme, helping many thousands more based in surrounding areas.

To make the initiative a reality, the charity is appealing to the public for donations.

The Nook is supported by SAMH’s first ever major appeal, with a target of £10m to fund the hubs for three years. Donations can be made on their website at samh.org.uk/nook.

SAMH’s announcement coincides with the charity’s new four-year plan, Taking Action, Creating Change, which was unveiled on Wednesday.

Billy Watson, chief executive of SAMH, said: “We believe people with mental health problems should be able to ask once and get help fast, so we’re taking action to make that a reality.

“The Nook is the most ambitious thing we’ve ever done. We believe it will revolutionise mental health support in Scotland – and inspire collective action to change the system in the longer term.

“The most important aspect of The Nook is the delivery of effective, compassionate and person-centred mental health support that empowers people to improve their wellbeing and manage their mental health challenges.

“We need public support to help make this happen – and we can open more Nooks in more communities with more support.”

Steve Tufnell from Falkirk faced bullying at school and rejection from his family at an early age, leading to a struggle against depression for most of his adult life. The loneliness and isolation he experienced came to a head during the Covid lockdown, when he began having thoughts of suicide. 

Steve said: “A friend let me know about SAMH and it’s a miracle really. If that hadn’t happened, I really don’t know where I’d be now.

“The Nook is an absolutely fantastic idea. Somewhere relaxing, and you can take the weight of the world off your shoulders.

“It would definitely have helped me.”

Shona Littlejohn, chair of SAMH, said: “Scotland is in a mental health crisis. We have waited long enough for investment in better community mental health support. People are sitting on waiting lists, unable to access the help they need, while too many of our young people are rejected from support.

“Something has to change. We are a trusted provider of mental health support and we are ready to take action. By creating our first Nook in Glasgow, we will create the change we believe is needed to help the many thousands of people experiencing mental health problems in Scotland.

“We have waited long enough for government and other bodies to solve this problem. It’s time to take action, it’s time to create change, and that’s what the Nook is all about.”

Mental Wellbeing Minister Maree Todd said: “I welcome this announcement from SAMH, and their plans to establish walk in mental health support hubs will complement the work we are doing to support mental health and wellbeing in communities.

“The importance of community interventions in supporting people’s mental wellbeing cannot be underestimated and prevention and early intervention is hugely important. The Scottish Government continues to invest in community-based support reaching children, young people and adults at increased risk of poor mental health and wellbeing.

“Since 2020, we have invested over £130m in community-based support through our Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults and Children and Young People’s supports and services. A further £30m will be invested in the Communities Fund for Adults over the next two years, and our investment in children and young people’s community mental health will continue through the local government finance settlement.”

Help and support is available now if you need it.

The Samaritans can be contacted any time, from any phone, free on 116 123, email at jo@samaritans.org, or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch. Details of other services and more information can be found on the NHS website here.