The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Greens promise pupils access to counselling
The Scottish Greens say pupils should have the right to access in-school counselling services as evidence shows youth mental health has worsened during the Covid pandemic.
They are calling for every child and young person to have access to mental health support through their school, should they require it.
Under the plan, local authorities in Scotland would be required to make the services accessible to every pupil – in a manner similar to that in place in Wales since 2013.
The proposal is a key element of the party’s Holyrood election manifesto, which will be unveiled today. It is accompanied by claims the party’s policies could create 100,000 jobs in Scotland.
The Scottish Greens said last month their “bold, practical and comprehensive plan” to invest £7.5 billion would help stimulate a green recovery from Covid.
For the first time, the party has now detailed in which sectors the 100,000 jobs will be created, with the majority – 75,000 jobs – to come from upgrading homes to improve energy efficiency.
There would be a further 17,000 roles across the public transport network due to integration of rail services, 10,000 from harnessing tidal energy supported by a direct government subsidy and 6,000 in national parks as a result of expansion and rewilding projects.
Lorna Slater, the party’s co-leader, said: “There will be no second chance when it comes to the climate emergency and that is why we need bold and decisive climate action now.”
The new mental health proposals follow an earlier announcement from the Scottish Greens that detailed a vision for £235 million of additional investment in mental health services. Some £16m would be allocated towards services to help children and young people.
Alison Johnstone, the Scottish Green’s mental health spokesperson, said the policy aimed to help stop the growing “mental health emergency”.
A recent survey of more than 6,000 young people, held by the Scottish Young Parliament, Youthlink and YoungScot, found 38% of respondents did not feel good about their mental health.
Experts at the Evidence Based Practice Unit and Anna Freud Centre also examined international evidence and found mental health difficulties have “markedly increased” during the pandemic.
Speaking ahead of the manifesto launch, Ms Johnstone said: “The mental health of young people in Scotland was already quickly worsening before the pandemic hit.
“With the impact of Covid, lockdowns and school closures over the last year, there is no doubt we’re facing a mental health emergency, so it is essential that young people receive support when and where they need it.
“For many, that will be at school.
“The Scottish Greens are proposing a right to schoolbased counselling services because we know they are absolutely vital to supporting the mental health of young people.
“Where they are in place they regularly support young people before their mental health reaches a crisis point.
“For too many pupils across Scotland though that support just hasn’t been there when they needed it.”