Shortage of mental health staff for pupils

Scotland’s pupils are facing a postcode lottery over mental health support, figures released today show.

Fourteen councils do not employ a mental health link worker and a further 12 have no information on the role.

The Freedom of Information request from Scottish Labour follows Scottish Government assurances that a mental health workerisavailabletoevery school.

Six out of 14 regional health boards also confirmed they do not hold the position, supposed to be a named employee.

Monica Lennon, MSP, Scottish Labour inequalities spokeswoman, whose party has put forward a plan for school-based counselling supported by children’s organisations said: “If schools don’t hold information on who is supposed to be their mental health link worker, children and young people are simply missing out.”

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Our new Mental Health Strategy is committed to a review of personal and social education to ensure very child has access to any appropriate support, counselling, or pastoral guidance.

“We will also be rolling out mental health training for those who support young people in schools.”