Commenting following the release of new figures which showed that almost 2,000 children and young people across Scotland have been waiting over a year to begin treatment, Liz Smith MSP has expressed her concerns about the impact this is having on children, young people and their families.
Liz Smith said,
"The figures released recently make for very disturbing reading showing the length of time many families are having to wait for their children to start treatment. I know from speaking to constituents that this has a devastating impact on children and young people and affects every area of family life.
"The SNP government is presiding over a mental health crisis and it is essential that they get a grip of the situation now. I am calling for NHS Tayside to be given the resources they need to ensure they can work with Perth and Kinross Council, and the voluntary sector who provide so much support across the Perth and Kinross Council area.
"We know that even before COVID-19 hit in March 2020 there were waiting lists for CAMHS, the situation is now even more desperate as the impact of the isolation and worries of the past almost two years has exacerbated the situation. We must ensure mental health support if there for children and young people when they need it.
“Ministers must use these shocking figures to act urgently and ensure vulnerable young people are not forced to wait unacceptably long for the treatment they desperately need.”
Perth City Centre Councillor and campaigner for mental health support for children and young people, Cllr Chris Ahern added,
"The length of time families with young people are waiting to access mental health services is appalling. This is not a new issue, but is a problem this SNP Government is not fixing.
"The issues around children and young peoples mental health is now at crisis point due to lack of funding and, here in Tayside, it has been at crisis point for a long time. There are delays in accessing services, delays in getting diagnosis and issues with transition from children’s services to adult service’s with referrals been missed altogether.
"The third sector are picking up more and more young people who have been let down by the NHS and this must stop. The SNP must take action NOW before it is too late."
