Cole-Hamilton: SNP’s commitment to mental health is utterly shallow

Responding to new findings by the Royal College of Psychiatrists that frontline spend on mental health has reduced from 9.12% of the Scottish Government's budget in 2011/12 to 8.78% in 2021/22, Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:  

“The SNP/ Green commitment to mental health is utterly shallow.  

“Mental health services were swamped before the pandemic. On top of that have been added the long shadow of lockdown and the decision to cut £50m from the mental health budget over winter. Waiting time targets have never been met since they were introduced in December 2014, leaving thousands to struggle in pain.  

“At a time of immense pressure for staff and services, it makes no sense whatsoever to slash spending like this.  

“As well as reversing devastating cuts to the mental health budget, Scottish Liberal Democrats would cut routine waiting times in half, increase the number of training places for psychiatrists and clinical psychologists and ensure that every school and workplace benefits from a mental health first aider.”