Treatment needed for hidden scars

You may not be able to see the scars, but the failure to tackle mental health issues promptly can have devastating impacts.

Today we reveal that some patients are waiting up to two years to start treatment.

It is a shocking indictment and must act as a wake-up call to those within the upper echelons of the health service.

There has been no shortage of appalling stories emerging in recent months and years, laying bare the utter desperation of many people in need of urgent assistance.

Things have got so bad that, earlier this year, it was even suggested some local people may simply “decide not to bother” seeking mental health treatment.

The worrying claim was made by north-east MSP Bill Bowman, who said staffing shortages prompted him to warn of the “worst case scenario”.

Whether or not such a situation has actually come to pass is unclear, but what is certain is that waiting lists show precious little sign of improvement.

Recruitment appears to be the key, but there are warnings specialist staff simply cannot be found.

An accident and emergency department would never dream of turning away a member of the public with a broken bone.

Sadly, until we start to view mental health with the same kind of urgency there must be fears the situation will only worsen.