An environmental and wellbeing initiative that will benefit almost 200 communities across Scotland has been launched by Scotmid.
âScotmid Community Orchardâ funding will allow fruit trees and bushes to be planted across the communities Scotmid serves. The sites, of five or more plants, will then form part of a Scotland-wide orchard of thousands of trees and bushes.
The retailer is seeking a group near each of its stores to plant five or more fruit trees or bushes within a community space. They will award ÂŁ200 to each successful applicant, to fund the purchase of plants.
The initiative has been created to encourage people to work together, increasing physical activity and improving local environments.
Orchards offer volunteering opportunities throughout the year as well as the chance to learn new skills, create habitats for wildlife and produce an array of edible produce.
John Brodie, Chief Executive of Scotmid, said: âWe love the idea that lots of people doing something simple locally, like planting fruit trees or bushes, not only benefits those close to them but allows them to be part of something so much bigger â an orchard spanning hundreds of miles weaving through our Scottish communities.
“We all recognise the value that green spaces bring. Scotmid is thrilled to provide the funding for our communities to plant, grow, learn, and let nature thrive.â
Karen Davidson from Social Farms and Gardens, who are providing advice to budding growers, said: âWe are so excited to see Scotmid leading the way, creating a network of micro-orchards across Scotland through this funding.
âCommunity orchards are part of a local food system. Promoting the health benefits of fresh produce and outdoor exercise to people of all age groups, orchards are excellent places for people to come together and enjoy the outdoors, whilst providing a focal point for community activities.â
Scotmid is seeking a group near each of its stores across Scotland to plant five or more fruit trees or bushes.
The Festive season can be an especially lonely time for many thousands of Scots, but over ÂŁ8 million National Lottery funding announced today (TUESDAY 13 DECEMBER\) means that charities and community groups across Scotland can continue to bring people together all year round.
The latest round of funding from The National Lottery Community Fund is shared amongst 246 community projects. A full list of projects is attached.
An award of ÂŁ121,192 means that Restalrig based charity, The Ripple can continue to deliver their âOlder Personâs Serviceâ for over 65s which offers a range of activities, trips and support services helping people in the community come together, making them feel less isolated.
Rachel Green, Director of The Ripple, said: âWeâre delighted to have been awarded a grant by The National Lottery Community Fund. We have a thriving social club for over 65âs on a Friday but this funding means we can now extend our opportunities across the whole week.
âOlder people bring so much to our community, and we are looking forward to working with them to plan activities and events that will help them stay physically well, connected to their community and keep them energised and active as life moves on.â
Branch Out Together also welcomes the award of ÂŁ98,774, which will allow them to continue their âBasecampâ youth club for autistic children. The programme offers children the opportunity to develop skills in social communication and interaction using games and arts and crafts projects.
Michael Penny, Chief Executive of Branch Out Together, said: âItâs great that The National Lottery Community Fund is supporting our Basecamp project which will allow us to help more children and their families.
“Children with autism will get the chance to make friends, have fun and grow confidence around others.â
There’s also Lottery joy for Wester Hailes-based With Kids, who will use their ÂŁ150,000 grant to expand their child mental health support service across South West Edinburgh, and Niddrie’s Caring in Craigmillar receives over ÂŁ59,000 to provide dementia-friendly activities. Euan’s Guide is also a big winner, picking up over ÂŁ144,000 to provide opportunities for disabled people in Edinburgh to write reviews on accessibility.
Among the local organisations receiving small grants are Ama-zing Harmonies (ÂŁ9900), Friends of Victoria Park (ÂŁ2150) and Saheliya (ÂŁ10,000), who will be using their award to deliver a series of talks, workshops and activities to celebrate their 30th anniversary.
Announcing the funding, Kate Still, Scotland Chair, The National Lottery Community Fundsaid: ââItâs fantastic to see this latest round of funding go to charity and community groups helping people in communities across Scotland come together.
âThe connections we have to our family, friends and the wider community makes us feel we are not so alone and that we are part of something bigger. The strength and comfort that we draw from this will be important for us all as we face some challenging times ahead.
âNational Lottery players can be proud that they are supporting this vital work, not only during the Festive Season but all year round. â
The National Lottery Community Fund distributesâŻfunding on behalf ofâŻNational Lottery playersâŻwhoâŻraise more than ÂŁ30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK.âŻ
ONE IN SIX WORKING PARENTS SURVEYED IN SCOTLAND WORRY THEY WONâT BE ABLE TO AFFORD ANY PRESENTS
New Action for Children research finds one in five children of working parents (22%) surveyed in Scotland will offer to donate their gift or pocket money to help their parents cover costs of festive season.
One sixth (15%) of working parents polled in Scotland worry they wonât be able to afford any Christmas presents.
Almost all (98%) working parents in Scotland said they had worried about money in past six months, more than half (52%) having worried often â resulting in trouble sleeping, worse mental health, getting upset and losing temper with kids.
One mum said: ââThere are some days we wonât put the fire on and just have blankets around us. I donât eat much anyway but some days I just have some beans on toast once or twice a day so my kids can have a proper meal.â
New Action for Children research released today uncovers the cost-of-living turmoil facing millions of working families in the run-up to Christmas.
To launch its annual Secret Santa campaign to help the countryâs most vulnerable children, the charity commissioned a unique Savanta ComRes poll of 2,700 UK working parents and their children (nearly 5,500 in total), as well as a nationwide survey of its frontline staff. The research shows how the financial burden families are facing is taking an emotional toll on relationships, mental health and Christmas celebrations.
With the highest inflation rate in over 40 years, nearly all (98%) working parents the charity surveyed in Scotland said they have worried about money over the past six months, with more than half (52%) of those having worried often. Of those:
Almost six in 10(59%) have had trouble sleeping
more than two-fifths (44%) have tried to hide their money worries
more than two-fifths (44%) have noticed their mental health worsen
almost a quarter (22%) have become upset or stressed in front of their children, and
Just under a fifth (19%) have lost their temper with their children.
The research also shows one in six (15%) of working parents surveyed in Scotland worry they wonât be able to afford any presents this Christmas. And despite their money worries, more than two in five (41%) said they will put on a brave face and try to act happy, with many children also thinking their mum and dad will be faking their festive cheer (37%).
The polling also recognises the severity of the situation and emotional pressures felt by the children and teenagers of the parents surveyed with:
Over a quarter (28%) of those whoâd seen their parents worry in the last six months had also seen their parents become upset or stressed in front of them due to money worries and under a quarter (24%) experienced their parents losing their temper with them.
Almost a third (32%) thinking their parents will be worried about not having enough money to pay the bills over the festive period, and
One in five (22%) saying they will offer their pocket or gift money to help their parents cover costs this Christmas.
As a charity that delivers childrenâs services, Action for Children is instead increasingly having to provide emergency relief to families as the cost-of-living crisis deepens.
In a nationwide survey of nearly 200 of its frontline staff during November, it found over two-thirds of those surveyed (69%) are currently supporting a child, young person or family that is experiencing poverty or extreme financial hardship.
Nearly half (45%) reported they were extremely worried about the health and wellbeing of the children, young people and families they support due to their financial situation, and one in ten (10%) had even donated their own household items or clothing to families, such is the urgent need.
Three quarters (75%) of children in poverty are in working familiesš with rates expected to worsen² as the cost-of-living crisis continues.
Some of the issues highlighted by the charityâs frontline workers included:
a family having to pawn all their electricals to buy food for their children
a child who sleeps on a pile of blankets as its parents canât afford a bed, and
a single parent to several children with additional needs working seven days a week trying to balance support for their children and earning enough money to make ends meet.
One worker asked a young girl if there was anything she would like from Santa this year, to which she replied: âIâm not asking for anything and Iâm not writing it down on paper (then nodded towards her mum) because she would get too sad.â
âInstead of enjoying a safe and happy time, many children will wake up on Christmas morning to no presents, food or warmth. Every day our frontline workers are helping families keep their heads above water, making sure they have the basics like hot meals and proper winter clothes, as well as offering emergency support to keep homes warm and help families pay the bills.
âIn yet another year when children and families have been pushed deeper into crisis, supporting them is more important than ever.
âPoverty is not inevitable, it is about political choices. The Scottish government has made a big step in the journey to end child poverty via their Scottish Child Payment, which we supported and called for, but families now require urgent giant leaps from both the UK and Scottish Government to make child poverty consigned to the past.
âUntil every family can keep their child warm and well fed, weâll be there to help them â thatâs why weâre asking people to donate to help us make a life-changing difference to vulnerable children this Christmas and beyond. With your help we can be a vital lifeline for even more children across Scotland.â
Case study:
Tina Buchan, 43, lives in Invernessand has five children with her partner Moni Buchan, 52. Tina works full-time as a Deputy Store Manager B&M store and her husband is a chef. He has struggled to find work near home and is currently working in London, leaving him apart from his family. Like so many families in Scotland, they are struggling to make ends meet this Christmas.
Tina was already struggling to make ends meet before household bills increased and, despite a recent promotion in work, is still being forced to take drastic measures to feed her children.
âThere are some days we wonât put the fire on and just have blankets around us,â said Tina. âI donât eat much anyway but some days I just have some beans on toast once or twice a day so my kids can have a proper meal.
âI’m pay as you go for my electric and Iâm paying around ÂŁ50 more a month just now. For heating, we have a coal fire and the price of coal has gone up a lot. The coal used to be ÂŁ10 per bag and now it’s gone up to ÂŁ15 a bag so itâs having a big impact on our budget.
âIâm good at budgeting which is a godsend because if I wasnât the stress would overwhelm me. Iâm on a salary so my pay is the same each month which helps me know what Iâm working with. Once Iâve paid my bills and bought some food for the house Iâm hardly left with anything.
With five children, Christmas is a particularly difficult period for Tina. Her children are aware of the familyâs financial struggles and do not have any expectations for Christmas presents.
âIâm lucky in that my kids donât expect much and donât ask for a lot because they know how expensive things can be,â she said. âTheyâre quite happy to have things like socks, pyjamas, and maybe a couple of wee toys. I speak to them properly about it. The youngest still believes in Santa Clause so he gets a couple of extra things but the others all know roughly what Iâll be giving them.
âIâm not one to ask for help, Iâm too proud but last Christmas our support worker from Action for Children, Sarah Sproul, brought food hampers and some presents for all the kids. Having five kids is expensive so that made a big difference.â
The pressure of making ends meet is not only affecting Tina but the children as well. Her 16-year-old son Aiden has suffered from anxiety which led the family to initially coming into contact with Action for Children for support around two years ago.
Thankfully Aiden has come a long way since then and has âcome out of his shell completely to the point that heâs a completely different person nowâ, according to his mother.
Unfortunately, Tina is now seeing her 10-year-old son Amirâs mental health impacted by the stress of the cost of living crisis and is arranging for him to receive support from Action for Children.
âI told the school two years ago that he was struggling to deal with his anxiety and I was told by the doctors that thereâs nothing they could do at the moment because the childrenâs mental health waiting lists are so long.
âIâve spoken to Sarah and sheâs going to make sure Amir receives the support he needs through Action for Children. She has been amazing for this family and I canât possibly thank her enough for everything sheâs done to help us all. If it wasnât for Action for Children, I donât know where weâd be.â
To become a Secret Santa for Action for Children visit iamsanta.org.uk
New polling also reports significant impacts on family life and siblings
Findings also report impact on working life of parents
New polling for Edinburgh Childrenâs Hospital Charity (ECHC) by The Diffley Partnership has exposed a dramatic concern among parents for their childrenâs mental wellbeing.
The polling has shown that:
50% of parents think their child has experienced mental ill health, with over one quarter considering it moderate or serious
Nearly 60% of those parents reporting a mental health issue consider it to have a fair or great impact on their family life, with over 60% considering it to have such an effect on their childrensâ friendships and social activities
Almost half believe their childâs mental health issues have a great or fair impact on the other children in the household
More than one-quarter of parents with children whom they believe have a mental health issue have had to take time off work as a result
ECHC exists to transform the lives of babies, children and young people in hospital and healthcare so they can be a child first and a patient second. All its work streams are centred around this objective, putting children and young people at the heart of everything it does, and its activity includes support for child and adolescent mental health services.
It is currently considering enhancing its services for children and wellbeing with a mental health concern to reflect the increased need illustrated by this polling.
Commenting on the polling, ECHCâs Chief Executive Roslyn Neely said:âThe data from this poll is deeply concerning. The truth is that we simply donât know enough about the impact that life in the 2020s – with a period of social exclusion layered on top of unprecedented social media exposure – is having on young peopleâs mental health.
âHowever, what we do know is that we are seeing more problems than ever before, and we believe we can play a part in solving them.
âWe are working on a ground-breaking programme which will not only help the young people experiencing mental ill health, but their families too.
âThere is no more time to wait. We cannot simply cross our fingers and hope that our young people work out any problems without help. There is too much at stake.â
The polling follows a wellbeing and resilience report compiled by ECHC following in-depth consultations with the parents of children and young people who had experience with CAMHS or mental health issues.
Roslyn Neely added:âThese in-depth consultations provided us with a wealth of information which, critically, show us that parents explore a range of different sources of help for their children, including CAMHS, GPs and schools.
“ECHC is now discussing the possibility of creating another route down which parents and young people can go.â
You may have seen in the news and online stories about Group A Strep.The latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that scarlet fever cases continue to remain higher than we would typically see at this time of year.
Scarlet fever is a contagious infection that mostly affects young children. Itâs easily treated with antibiotics.
The first signs of scarlet fever can be flu-like symptoms, including a high temperature, a sore throat and swollen neck glands (a large lump on the side of your neck).
Scarlet fever is a bacterial illness that mainly affects children. It causes a distinctive pink-red rash.
The illness is caused by Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria, also known as Group A Streptococcus, which are found on the skin and in the throat.
Generally, scarlet fever is much less common than it used to be but in recent years there have been a number of significant outbreaks.
This year we have seen higher than usual numbers of Group A Streptococcal (GAS) infections in Scotland and persistently high numbers of cases of scarlet fever among children.
Itâs important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of scarlet fever so that early treatment with antibiotics can be given.
Scarlet fever symptoms
Scarlet fever usually follows a sore throat or a skin infection, like impetigo, caused by particular strains of Streptococcus bacteria.
The symptoms of scarlet fever usually develop 2 to 5 days after infection. However, the incubation period (the period between exposure to the infection and symptoms appearing) can be as short as one day or as long as 7 days.
Non-urgent advice:Speak to your GP if:
You or your child has symptoms of scarlet fever like:
a pinkish, rough textured rash
a sore throat
a headache
a high temperature (38.3C/101F or above)
flushed cheeks
a swollen tongue, known as strawberry tongue
Rash
The distinctive pink-red rash caused by scarlet fever develops 12 to 48 hours after symptoms like a sore throat or headache.
Red blotches are the first sign of the rash. These turn into a fine pink-red rash that feels like sandpaper to touch and looks like sunburn. It may also be itchy.
On darker skin the rash may be more difficult to see although its rough texture should be apparent.
The rash usually starts on the chest and stomach, but soon spreads to other parts of the body, like the:
ears
neck
elbows
inner thighs
groin
The rash doesn’t usually spread to the face. However, the cheeks become flushed and the area just around the mouth stays quite pale. The rash will turn white if you press a glass on it.
The rash usually fades after about a week, but the outer layers of skin, usually on the hands and feet, may peel for several weeks afterwards.
In milder cases, sometimes called scarlatina, the rash may be the only symptom.
red lines in the folds of the body, such as the armpit, which may last a couple of days after the rash has gone
a white coating on the tongue, which peels a few days later leaving the tongue red and swollen (this is known as strawberry tongue)
a general feeling of being unwell
When to seek medical advice
If you think you or your child may have scarlet fever, see your GP for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment. It usually clears up after about a week
Your GP should be able to diagnose scarlet fever by examining the distinctive rash and asking about other symptoms. They may also decide to take a sample of saliva from the back of the throat so it can be tested in a laboratory to confirm the diagnosis.
There’s no evidence to suggest that catching scarlet fever when pregnant will put your baby at risk. However, if you’re heavily pregnant, tell the doctors and midwives in charge of your care if you’ve been in contact with someone who has scarlet fever.
How scarlet fever spreads
Scarlet fever is very infectious and can be caught by:
breathing in bacteria in airborne droplets from an infected person’s coughs and sneezes
touching the skin of a person with a Streptococcal skin infection, such as impetigo
sharing contaminated towels, baths, clothes or bed linen
It can also be caught from people who have the bacteria in their throat or on their skin but don’t have any symptoms.
Who’s affected by scarlet fever
Most cases of scarlet fever occur in children under 10 (usually between 2 and 8 years of age). However, people of any age can get the illness.
As it’s easily spread, scarlet fever is likely to affect someone in close contact with a person with a sore throat or skin infection caused by Streptococcus bacteria. Outbreaks can occur in nurseries and schools where children are in close contact with one another.
The symptoms of scarlet fever will only develop in people susceptible to toxins produced by the Streptococcus bacteria. Most children over 10 years of age will have developed immunity to these toxins.
It’s possible to have scarlet fever more than once, but this is rare.
Treating scarlet fever
Most cases of scarlet fever clear up after about a week without treatment. However, your GP may recommend treatment as it:
reduces the length of time you’re infectious
speeds up recovery
lowers the risk of complications of scarlet fever
With treatment, most people recover in about 4 to 5 days and can return to nursery, school or work 24 hours after starting antibiotic treatment.
Without treatment, you’ll be infectious for 1 to 2 weeks after symptoms appear.
Antibiotics
Scarlet fever is usually treated with a 10-day course of antibiotics. This is often in the form of penicillin or amoxicillin tablets, although liquid may be used for young children.
For people who are allergic to penicillin, alternative antibiotics like erythromycin can be used instead.
The symptoms usually improve within 24 hours of starting antibiotics, with the other symptoms disappearing within a few days. However, it’s important that the whole course of treatment is completed to ensure the infection is fully cleared and reduce the potential for antibiotic resistance.
Keep your child away from nursery or school for at least 24 hours after starting antibiotic treatment.
Adults with scarlet fever should also stay off work for at least 24 hours after starting treatment.
Self care
Many of the symptoms of scarlet fever can be relieved using some simple self care measures.
Do
drink plenty of cool fluids
eat soft foods (if your throat is painful)
take paracetamol to bring down a high temperature
use calamine lotion or antihistamines to relieve itching
Complications of scarlet fever
Most cases of scarlet fever don’t cause complications, particularly if the condition is properly treated.
However, there’s a small risk of the infection spreading to other parts of the body and causing more serious infections, like:
If your child has scarlet fever, keep them away from nursery or school for at least 24 hours after starting treatment with antibiotics. Adults with the illness should also stay off work for at least 24 hours after starting treatment.
GPs, schools and nurseries should be aware of the current high levels of scarlet fever and inform local health protection teams if they become aware of cases, particularly if more than one child is affected.
Do
cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing
wash your hands with soap and water after using or disposing of tissues.
Don’t
do not share contaminated utensils, cups and glasses, clothes, baths, bed linen or towels
The SPFL Trust have teamed up with Prostate Scotland to launch Prostate Football Fans in Training, a new 12-week pilot project for men living with prostate cancer.
The SPFL Trust have teamed up with Prostate Scotland to launch Prostate Football Fans in Training, a new 12-week pilot project for men living with prostate cancer.
An initial phase of this project will take place in the capital at Tynecastle, delivered by Heart of Midlothian FC.
The pilot is a tailored version of Football Fans in Training (FFIT) the SPFL Trustâs flagship health and wellbeing programme which takes place at football clubs across the country, helping people to get active and feel fitter, healthier and happier.
Working together with experts from Prostate Scotland, the University of Glasgow Health and Wellbeing Institute and The Exercise Clinic, the programme has been developed based on clinical guidelines for men living with prostate cancer, which recommend a structured 12-week exercise programme.
Prostate FFIT is open to all men living with prostate cancer, who can self-refer online, or be referred by a clinician.
As well as getting the opportunity to take part in exercise supported by trained coaches, participants will learn more about nutrition. They will also receive a personal workbook to help them follow the course and have access to specifically developed videos to continue exercise at home.
Crucially, Prostate FFIT will create space for men affected by prostate cancer to meet others in a similar situation, offering informal peer support.
SPFL Trust CEO Nicky Reid said: âFootball Fans in Training is our flagship health and wellbeing programme, with over 7,000 people completing the initiative over the last 12 years.
âIn this time weâve learnt that a key strength of the programme is the environment – the familiarity of a football club can go a long way in encouraging people to take that first step.
âWe are delighted to have been able to work with partners to tailor FFIT for men living with prostate cancer. Exercise is such an important part of their treatment, and we feel privileged to be a small part of their journey.â
Director of Prostate Scotland Adam Gaines said: “âResearch and clinical guidelines show the importance of exercise for men with prostate cancer. This new and innovative exercise programme is aimed at helping tackle the impact prostate cancer can have on the lives of men living with prostate cancer, especially for those on hormone therapy.
âThe benefit of Prostate FFIT courses, offered in professional football clubs, is in providing engaging, beneficial and helpful exercise and healthy lifestyle courses in line with clinical guidelines. There are too few specialist exercise courses for men with prostate cancer in Scotland. We aim to close that gap.
âWe are delighted to have developed Prostate FFIT with our partners the SPFL Trust and the University of Glasgow.â
Chris Cottrellwho lives with advanced prostate cancer and is co-founder of The Exercise Clinic who helped to develop the Prostate FFIT said: âMy message is that for many, exercise is one of the best ways to get back some control of your life during a period when I certainly felt I was at risk of losing control.
“There are few things that are more bewildering and disempowering than being told that you have cancer, so regaining a sense of agency is vital. There is now strong evidence that men with prostate cancer who exercise consistently have a better survival rate.”
Gregg Veitch,Community Football Officer at Heart of Midlothian, said: “We are delighted to be involved in the pilot delivery of Prostate FFIT. We have seen first-hand how beneficial FFIT can be to our supporters and are delighted to be able to offer this programme to even more people.
“Prostate FFIT will kick off Tuesday 17th Janaury at Tynecastle. To get involved, contact Gregg Veitch by emailing GreggVeitch@homplc.co.uk “
NHS 24 Online â a new way to access health advice and wellbeing services in Scotland
Feeling unwell? If you or someone you care for is under the weather you can now find out more about your symptoms, when you can self-care and what to do if your condition worsens and you need medical help via a new, easy to use mobile app from NHS 24.
The NHS 24 Online app allows people to check symptoms to find out what to do next. There is also a chatbot function to answer questions and find out how to get further advice for a range of issues including running out of medicine or help for:
Eye problems
Flu-like illness
Lower back pain
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
The App can also help people find their nearest health and care services using postcodes or location data. It will detail how far away each service is, if it is open or closed, and the contact details for that service.
âNHS 24 Onlineâ is available for both Android and iOS devices and free to download now.
Dr Laura Ryan, NHS 24âs Medical Director said the app offers people more choice in the way can get the help and advice they need: âMobile devices have changed the way we do lots of things on a day-to-day basis and we hope the new NHS 24 Online app will make it easier for people to check their symptoms, and if they need further help to find local services at the press of a button.
âBy downloading NHS 24 Online, people in Scotland will be able to get health advice from a trustworthy source in a fast and convenient way. And if more help is needed, the app will also provide information on where to access the right care in the right place.â
Please note this is a first iteration of the app â future developments and enhancements are planned for 2023.
The NHS 24 Online app is available to download for free on the Google Play Store for Android devices and the App Store for Apple devices.
One third of children not being seen within waiting time target
The Scottish Childrenâs Services Coalition (SCSC), an alliance of leading providers of specialist childrenâs services, has called on the Scottish Government to deliver a budget for mental health as new waiting time figures out yesterday (6th December) highlight that a third of children and young people are not being seen within its waiting time target.
Figures published by Public Health Scotland indicate that over the quarter covering July to September 2022, a third (32.1 per cent) of children and young people had been waiting more than 18 weeks from referral before starting treatment at child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS).1
The Scottish Government target is that 90 per cent of children and young people should start treatment within 18 weeks of referral to CAMHS.
A total of 4,990 children and young people started treatment at CAMHS in the quarter ending September 2022, an increase of 30.2 per cent from 3,833 starting treatment in the quarter ending September 2021.
The figures however come on the back of a planned ÂŁ38 million cut to planned mental health spending by the Scottish Government in its forthcoming budget, to be revealed on 15th December.
This cut in spending is despite a mental health emergency, which is set to worsen given the cost-of-living crisis and services already at breaking point.
The SCSC has called on the Scottish Government to reverse its decision and prioritise mental health spending, avoiding a potential lost generation of children and young people with mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression and self-harm.
Even before the pandemic, cases of poor mental health in children and young people were at unprecedented levels, with services struggling to keep pace with growing demand, leaving an increasing number of vulnerable individuals unable to access support. The Covid-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis have further exacerbated this situation.
The SCSC also noted that without increased spending it is unlikely the Scottish Government will be able to achieve its target, as outlined in the NHS Recovery Plan, to clear waiting lists by March 2023 and ensure that at least 90 per cent of children and young people referred to CAMHS start treatment within 18 weeks.
A spokesperson for the SCSC commented: âThe latest figures highlighting that a third of children and young people are not being seen within the Scottish Governmentâs 18-week waiting time target is extremely alarming.
âSince the pandemic, demand on services has increased and the cost-of-living crisis is only going to make matters worse, creating a potential lost generation of vulnerable children and young people.
âWe are facing a mental health emergency and many of our children and young people are at breaking point, with stress and anxiety reaching alarming levels because of the effect of the cost-of-living crisis.
âHowever, this concerningly comes against a background of a proposed cut to mental health budgets, meaning that some of our children and young people simply wonât get the help they desperately need, with potentially catastrophic consequences.
âWe would urge the Scottish Government to reconsider its proposed cuts to the mental health budget and make this a budget for mental health.â
1 Public Health Scotland, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: Waiting Times in Scotland, Quarter Ending September 2022, 6th December 2022.
