Child mental health issues ‘a ticking time bomb’

Wednesday 23 OctOber 2013 A LACK of psychiatrists and psychologists for children is creating a “ticking time bomb”, charities have warned the Scottish Government.

They say many children with additional needs risked not getting the support they needed now and storing up problems for later life.

The warning from the Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC) followed a report by the Scottish National Steering Group of Educational Psychologists, which found the number of professionals now working in the field is “dangerously low”.

The coalition cited a Scottish Government cut in November 2011 of £49,000 – which had been earmarked to put students through two years of training.

It urged ministers to increase funding and to give clear guidance on how many professionals should work in an area, per head of population.

An SCSC spokesman said: We are sitting on a ticking time bomb of increased demand and we cannot allow those who require psychiatric and psychology services to be left confined to the fringes simply due to a lack of personnel to address this need.”

Tracey Francis, project manager at Mindroom, one of the charities represented by the coalition, added: “Lack of appropriate support at the right time can impact significantly both on a young person’s wellbeing and their ability to achieve their full potential – both of which can contribute to mental health difficulties.

“This will undoubtedly lead to some people requiring more support as they proceed into adulthood, not less.”

The Scottish Government said it was up to councils to ensure they have enough psychiatrists.

A spokesman said: “While it is up to each local authority to identify and meet this demand, the Scottish Government continues to monitor the delivery of this support through the National Scottish Steering Group for Educational Psychologists.”