Protecting mental health is a priority
BY RENFREWSHIRE SOUTH MSP TOM ARTHUR
Given the events of the last 18 months, it is more important than ever for us to be mindful of our own mental health and that of our family, friends and loved ones.
The Covid-19 pandemic has taught many of us that the support of family and friends, even when given remotely over Facetime, calls or texts, is of enormous benefit to our mental well-being and makes facing the most challenging of circumstances that little bit easier.
The pandemic has put an incredible strain on the mental health of the nation and there is no hiding from the fact that we need to address the challenges that our services will face as a result of an increase in depression, anxiety and stress caused by the pandemic.
For those whose mental health was poor already, support from mental health professionals may be required.
The Scottish Government recognises that mental health services in Scotland are an invaluable resource and must be protected and invested in to ensure that they are always accessible to anyone in need.
It is for this reason that, at a national level, the Scottish Government has committed to increasing frontline health spending by a record amount, ten per cent of which will be ringfenced for mental health services.
The focus will be recruiting at least 800 more mental health staff across the country and injecting more cash into the system where it’s needed most.
Funding to the tune of £1.6million has also been allocated to local authorities to work with partners in further developing traumainformed approaches, building on the significant progress that has already been made in many areas to better recognise and support people affected by psychological trauma and adversity.
In addition, Scotland’s Covid Recovery Strategy has placed addressing inequality as a key priority.
This not only means providing mental health and well-being support, but also aims to tackle some of the root causes and consequences of poor mental health.
In tackling poverty and the povertyrelated attainment gap, we ensure that everyone has equal opportunity to learn, train, work and prosper.
These measures are further supported by the increased hours of early learning and childcare, including the planned expansion of free wraparound and out-of-school childcare for low income families which will free working families from the debilitating costs of breakfast, afterschool and holiday clubs.
A huge contributing factor to the mental health challenge, and one that creates a continuous cycle of cause and effect, is lack of secure accommodation.
Eradicating homelessness and rough sleeping, through tailored and intensive support like Housing First and a substantial increase in the provision of affordable homes by social landlords will go some way to remedy this.
Public services cannot do this alone, however, and working in partnership with the fantastic thirdsector organisations, such as those that provide support to people in Renfrewshire South, like RAMH and Lean On Me, is absolutely vital to ensure that no one is left behind.