40k crisis calls were abandoned
Mental health sufferers are ‘let down’
OVER 40,000 phone calls to an NHS mental health crisis line in Scotland have been abandoned in the last year, it has emerged.
On World Mental Health Day, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex ColeHamilton revealed that in the 12 months from July 2020 to June 2021, more than 40,000 phone calls to the NHS 24 Mental Health Hub were ditched.
The figures obtained by Scottish Liberal Democrats via freedom of information requests reveal that out of 129,200 phone calls to the mental health hub, 40,424 calls were abandoned, representing 31 per cent of all calls.
In March, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that the number of unanswered calls to the Mental Health
Hub was “unacceptable”. Since then, over 13,000 calls have been not taken.
Cole-Hamilton MSP said: “These figures show that many of those who reached out for help didn’t get it.
“They join the many others who have already been let down by the dearth of mental health support in this country.
“The Scottish Government shamefully abandoned training during the pandemic.
“Scottish Lib Dems secured an additional £120million for mental health in the last budget but this is just a fraction of the commitment that is needed if we are to transform mental health treatment.
“Mental health is still nowhere near as supported as physical health.
Minister for Mental Wellbeing Kevin Stewart said: “We know the pandemic has had a substantial impact on the mental health of the population, and is likely to continue to do so
“We will continue to deliver on the actions set out in our Mental Health Transition and Recovery Plan, backed by £120million, and ensure that people can get the right help at the right time.”