Making young people stay at university over Christmas threatens mental health
I am deeply disturbed by a Twitter post made by Professor Leitch, the National Clinical Director. The post reads: “Was asked last night whether students in halls and flats can go back to parents’ homes. To clarify, they are a separate household. There are exceptions, eg caring responsibilities, but the law is clear: they can’t meet indoors with another household – even mum and dad. Sorry.”
Many of these young people living in Halls are away from home for the first time in their life. I have been involved with youth work for over ten years and know that some of the young people are mature and will be able to cope without the support of their family. Others are not so mature and some are vulnerable. To say that these young people cannot go back to the family home is, to my mind, uncaring and could lead to, for some young people, mental illness or even suicide.
The Scottish Government is in danger of losing the confidence of the Scottish population if this pronouncement by Prof Leitch is not rescinded. ALEXANDER MITCHELL
Hallhill Steading, Dunbar
I trust that all those enthusiasts for independence are taking note of how eager Nicola Sturgeon is to advertise that she will be second to none when it comes to laying waste to individual freedoms. Young people, in particular, are being shown the nature of the person who is so desperate to run this country. It’s their future which is at stake.
MICK WHARTON Fouledge Cottage, Hawick
Since the student population of Scotland seem to be responsible for the present jump in Coronovirus infections, might it occur to the First Minister that her constant haranguing of the population has been in vain? Perhaps she is directing her attention in the wrong place? I do not imagine students have been turning on the TV for the lunchtime recital of disease, death and our duty. However there is much evidence that many elderly, frail people have been scared and intimidated by the daily pronouncements. They are the regular lunchtime viewers.
A podiatrist, for example, told me that when she contacted some of her older clients to arrange an appointment, when that was allowed, she formed the opinion that some of them will not leave their homes again. Is that really a life worth living?
If the First Minister wants to reach the young, then social media is where she should concentrate her efforts. The daily stats belong elsewhere and she needs to get off TV. ALISON FULLARTON
Lumsdaine Coldingham, Eyemouth