Huge variation in child mental health funding
The mental health of children and young people in Scotland is at risk because of a “postcode lottery” of spending on child and adolescent mental health services, according to an industry body.
Research by the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland (Rcpsych) found the level of spending per head of population for services helping under-17s varied significantly.
The biggest contrast was found between the Western Isles – where £156 per head was spent in 2019/20 – and Orkney, where only £20 per head was spent, despite having a similar size of population.
While £44 was spent per head in Fife, a large geographical area, more than £105 was spent in Tayside during the same period. The figure for Glasgow and Greater Clyde was £90 compared to £103 for Lothian.
Last October, a Sunday Post investigation revealed how mental health services for young people were in crisis due to a lack of funding.
Doctors warned the pandemic threatened to turn a crisis into a catastrophe.
Dr Helen Smith, of Rcpsych, said: “The level of spending on child and adolescent mental health services across the country really is quite striking.
“Huge areas are vastly underfunded, while other areas with a lower population are receiving more money.
“It doesn’t make sense that a child under the age of 17 gets a different level of service when it comes to their mental health, depending on where they live. Disparities between health boards need to be tackled. We’re appealing to all political parties to now look into how these vital services are funded.”