MENTAL HEALTH

A £250 million investment package in mental health services was the major announcement by Ms Sturgeon.

Ministers have faced criticism in recent years as waits for counselling, particularly among young Scots, have soared.

The plans unveiled marked a sea change in ministers’ approach and will provide £60m in schools in the year ahead to support 350 counsellors and 250 additional school nurses.

The move will ensure every school has a counselling service and mental health support and provide more advice for young people and their families dealing with mental health issues.

Plans were also unveiled to fast-track young people with the most serious mental health illness into specialist services.