Tag: Health and wellbeing

Edinburgh commuters inspired for mental health check-in by new Haymarket installation

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT TEAMS UP WITH BLACK SCOTTISH ADVENTURERS FOUNDER TO HIGHLIGHT MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF THE OUTDOORS 

The Scottish Government has announced a new collaboration with Joshua Adeyemi, founder of Black Scottish Adventurers.  

The partnership comes as part of the nationwide Mind to Mind campaign which aims to help normalise conversations about mental health and share practical strategies for coping with life’s pressures. 

The campaign sees a striking new sign installed at Edinburgh’s Haymarket Station featuring Josh’s words: “Out here, you’re enough”, intended to share a note of support that reflects the spirit of the Black Scottish Adventurers community and to spark conversations about mental wellbeing.  

Research from See Me, Scotland’s programme to end mental health stigma and discrimination, explains that more than a quarter of people in Scotland believe it’s easier to avoid discussing mental health than risk an awkward conversation. One in five say fear of judgment stops them from speaking openly. 

The Mind to Mind platform offers free, accessible guidance covering topics such as anxiety, grief, stress, loneliness, and financial worries. Visitors can explore personal stories, expert insights, and links to further help – all designed to be used at a pace that suits them. 

Reflecting on the collaboration, Josh said: “Finding a community of like-minded individuals where I can talk about life struggles and be my authentic self has been so important on my journey towards understanding how to look after my mental wellbeing.

“The message says exactly what I hope people feel: Whilst being outdoors can’t fix everything, spending time amongst friendly faces, surrounded by Scotland’s awe-inspiring scenery is powerful, and I’ve seen how it helps lift people’s spirits to keep moving forward.

“Working with Mind to Mind has been brilliant as they offer so many resources available to everyone to help navigate the tougher moments in life.”

Josh noted that placing the sign in Edinburgh holds deep personal meaning as this is where Black Scottish Adventurers originated and where he currently lives. He hopes it inspires people to see nature as restorative and stresses that enjoying the outdoors can be as simple as listening to the birds in the park. In collaboration with Mind to Mind, Josh encourages others to access the website to discover the mental health support available.  

Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing, Tom Arthur MSP, said: “Mind to Mind is dedicated to ensuring that everyone in Scotland can access mental health strategies and support tailored to their needs.

“Josh’s commitment to inclusive outdoor experiences brings a fresh perspective to the campaign, helping to engage communities and encourage open conversations about mental health.

“Together with Mind to Mind, these efforts aim to empower individuals to take meaningful steps toward wellbeing.”

If you’re going through a difficult time, you are not alone.

Visit  www.nhsinform.scot/mind-to-mind to hear from others and find support in a way that works for you. 

‘Heartbreaking’: Almost 900 excess deaths from long A&E waits as state of Scotland’s hospital system laid bare

Responding to analysis from the Scottish Liberal Democrats, which suggested that there were 871 deaths in Emergency Departments (EDs) associated with a 12 or more hour wait for admission, Dr Fiona Hunter, Royal College of Emergency Medicine Vice President for Scotland, said: “These harrowing figures show that something must change in the approach to fixing the crisis in our EDs.  

“Heartbreaking doesn’t cover it. Each of these 871 people may have had families and friends who would have had to face the devastating reality that their loved one died not because they were too sick to treat, but because our hospitals don’t have the capacity to look after them properly.  

“Patients enduring these long waits are often the sickest or most injured, in need of further care on a ward. But a lack of beds, driven in large part by delayed discharges, meant they had to wait in A&E – and this can go on for hours and hours.  

“Almost 900 people may have paid the ultimate price for this complete breakdown in hospital flow. 

“Last year, RCEM published figures for 2024, which suggested there were 818 excess deaths associated with 12 hour waits in EDs. Today’s figures suggest that the problem is getting worse, not better.  

“Whoever forms the next government cannot ignore this problem. The numbers speak for themselves: more people will die, who otherwise would go home to their families, if overcrowding and long waits in ED aren’t fixed. 

“Addressing the ‘back door’ blockage of hospitals must be a priority for all political parties. Only then will the needless and agonising waits, and the avoidable deaths they cause, stop.  

“These are fixable issues and we encourage all political parties to make this a priority. Lives are at stake.”  

Molly vs The Machines highlights the dangers of social media and what needs to be done to keep us safe

Molly vs The Machines is a new documentary premiering on Channel 4. It tells the story of a young girl who died by suicide after being influenced by negative social media algorithms, and her dad, who is now fighting for online safety.

This encourages an important national conversation on how we keep people safe online. Samaritans supports the pressure put on platforms to make their content safe for everyone.

Why making safe online spaces is so important

The dangers that exist online when it comes to suicide and self-harm related content raises the bigger questions of how AI, Big Tech, and social media are negatively infiltrating our lives.

If we want the internet to be a safer space, especially for individuals experiencing distress, things need to change.

But how can we do that?

Putting pressure on platforms for positive impact

Samaritans believe that dangerous self-harm and suicide content, such as graphic images, should be taken down by platforms as they can cause serious harm.

Platforms have a duty to keep their users safe and should never actively push dangerous content onto their algorithms.

That’s why it’s vital that platforms recognise and respond to the vital role they play in suicide prevention.

If users are intentionally looking for this kind of content, the platforms must minimise the availability of harmful content and maximise opportunities for improved help-seeking.

They should highlight helpful resources, share stories of recovery, and signpost to services like Samaritans. And they should also recognise that protections should be further endorsed for the safety of young people.

Keeping young people safe

Someone looking at their mobile phone

It is the age of the internet. And young people are used to having phones and tablets and computers within arm’s reach, all the time. But how do we make sure that what they are consuming is safe and appropriate?

Molly vs The Machines really highlights the importance of parents and caregivers being aware of the risks of social media.

And while some platforms do have restrictions like age limits for who can join and/or sign up, that doesn’t always mean that the content will automatically be age appropriate.

Parents and caregivers need to be informed of the risks so that they can have open and honest conversations with their children about what they’re consuming, how to stay safe, and what to look out for.

To find out more information, check out our guide, talking to your child about self-harm and suicide content online.

Charity Children First says must-watch documentary drama Molly vs the Machines is a powerful and harrowing wake up call to parents and carers

Commenting in advance of the screening of Molly vs the Machines on Channel 4, last night, Mary Glasgow, Chief Executive of Children First, Scotland’s national charity said: “This must-watch documentary drama is a powerful and harrowing wake up call to parents and carers to demand that tech firms prioritise the protection of our children over lining their own pockets.

“Parents are already extremely worried about the children’s safety in the digital world, but what Molly vs the Machines exposes is the extremity and volume of harmful content that big tech are knowingly targeting to children and young people, which many adults won’t be aware of.

“The consequences for children, childhood and public health are horrifying, but change is possible. Technology firms could stop this tomorrow. Action is needed at every level to regulate, educate and create the cultural and policy shifts that are needed nationally and internationally so that every child can thrive on and off-line.”

Any parent or carer in Scotland worried about their child can contact Children First’s support line on 08000 28 22 33 or visit www.childrenfirst.org.uk/supportline to start a webchat.

Irish expert urges Scottish leaders to make online health their top priority

The chair of Ireland’s Online Health Taskforce, Jillian van Turnhout will urge Scotland’s key decision-makers to do everything in their power to protect children from online harm through a public health approach at a round table in Edinburgh today (4 March) convened by Children First, Scotland’s national children’s charity. 

Speaking in advance of the roundtable, which will include Siobhian Brown MSP, Minister for Victims and Community Safety and Natalie Don-Innes MSP, Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, Jillian van Turnhout, Chair of Ireland’s Online Health Taskforce, said: “When we built Ireland’s Online Health Taskforce, we started by listening to young people – and what they told us was both sobering and clarifying.

“Children aren’t asking for perfection; they’re asking for adults to take this seriously and act. The data from Children First shows Scottish children are saying exactly the same thing. The question now isn’t whether to act, but how quickly and how comprehensively. 

“This needs collaboration between governments at all levels, with every government committing to do everything they can to secure a safe digital world for children. In Scotland huge strides can be taken to protect children from online harm through areas that are in the Scottish Government’s power, including education, justice and health.” 

In December, Children First warned that “childhood is being eroded by the digital world and children’s basic right to safety is not being upheld.”  

Research by the charity of over 2,460 young people in Scotland shows that: 

  • 79 percent are worried about seeing harmful online content.  
  • 78 percent are anxious about the impact of social media. 
  • 71 percent are worried about the impact of smartphones.* 

A separate survey of adults conducted by the charity showed that 84% of Scots are very or extremely worried about the impact of social media on young people and 81% are worried about children’s access to violent content online.** 

On Monday the UK Government opened a consultation on protecting children on social media, gaming platforms and AI Chatbots, calling it “one of its most wide-ranging national conversations on a public issue in recent years.” 

Mary Glasgow, chief executive Children First said: “While some progress is being made, there is no silver bullet to halt the rapidly advancing digital destruction of childhood. 

“Scotland’s senior leaders in justice, public health, children’s rights and the third sector are coming together at today’s round table to show their depth of concern about the unprecedented threats that children and young people face to their health, wellbeing and development in a digital age and focus on the solutions. 

“Children are telling us they need adults to keep them safe, now. We must act on learning from the international community or risk being left behind in protecting children online. Scotland has a strong track record in delivering holistic transformational public health responses to address some of the most pressing problems this country has faced. 

“By quickly applying the learning from Ireland’s online health taskforce and building a consensus about how Scotland can tackle online harm we can keep children safe and preserve their childhoods.”   

Minister for Children and Young People Natalie Don-Innes said: “Protecting children from online harm is critical in the modern digital age. It’s a continually evolving issue that requires the utmost thought and technical expertise to provide the best possible protections for young people. 

“That is why it is so important for leaders across sectors, including justice, public health, children’s rights and the third sector to meet and discuss how to best protect our children from online dangers. 

“Online regulation is reserved to the UK Government, and the Scottish Government have been clear in our calls for greater controls to reduce online harms to children, and our desire to work constructively with the UK Government to that end.  

“However, we are striving to improve and do more with the devolved powers we have – through education, community safety, and child protection. This will be set out in the Online Safety Taskforce Action Plan which will be published shortly.” 

Ireland’s Department of Health established the Online Health Taskforce in September 2024 to develop a public health response to digital harms. 

In December 2025 the Taskforce’s final report set out four foundational principles to establish overarching policy and 10 recommendations for action in five key areas – children and young people’s rights, safety by design, critical digital literacy, enforcement and accountability, and regulatory frameworks. 

The round table has been supported by Inspiring Scotland and Changing Ideas through their fund committed to reducing the impact of online harm on children and young people. 

Scotland meets CAMHS waiting times commitment

Sustained improvement in mental health care for children and young people

Scotland has met its Programme for Government commitment on specialist children’s mental health waiting times, with new statistics confirming that 90% of children and young people referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) started treatment within 18 weeks of referral by the December 2025 target date. 

The Scottish Government has invested significantly in CAMHS over the past decade, with staffing increasing by 53%. The commitment to fund 320 additional CAMHS posts by 2026 has been exceeded, increasing capacity for cases by over 10,000.

CAMHS provides specialist NHS support for children and young people with serious mental health needs. To provide alternatives to this specialist service, over £80 million has been invested in community mental health services, plus £16 million a year for school counselling. From this year, £15 million annually will go to local authorities to maintain community-based support for children and young people who need it.

CAMHS waiting times of over 18 weeks are now at their lowest level since June 2013 and CAMHS targets have been met consistently for over a year.

Mental Wellbeing Minister Tom Arthur said: “Meeting our Programme for Government commitment on the CAMHS waiting times standard by the December 2025 target is a real and meaningful achievement.

“It has been made possible by the hard work and dedication of NHS staff across Scotland who support children, young people and their families through some of the most difficult times of their lives.

“The progress is sustained and it is clear — waiting lists are at historic lows with over 52 week waits dropping by over 30% in the last year and half of all young people referred are being seen within five weeks.

“I am encouraged by the real progress that has been made in recent months to clear backlogs and we will continue to work closely with those NHS Boards where some challenges remain over the next few months as they complete this work.

“Despite progress, there is more to do, and we remain committed to supporting all NHS Boards to sustain and build on this momentum.”

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in Child, Adolescent, and Psychological Therapies Data March 2026

Endometriosis Awareness Event

THURSDAY 12 MARCH from 12 – 1.15pm on ZOOM

March is Endometriosis Action month, a movement to raise awareness of a common condition that has a very big impact on people’s lives.

In our next webinar in our women’s health series, we’re focusing on the condition to better understand what it is, the common symptoms, treatment options and how to have a productive journey to diagnosis or management.

Sign up to this free session on 12 March at 12pm:

https://www.alliance-scotland.org.uk/…/endometriosis…/

The Eric Liddell Community invites you to Open Day showcasing dementia care and carer support

The Edinburgh-based charity will open its doors to the public on Saturday, 7th March, to display its range of dementia care services and carer support programmes.

The Eric Liddell Community will open its doors to the public on Saturday, 7 March 2026, inviting local residents to discover the charity’s vital dementia care services and carer support programmes at a special Open Day in Morningside.

With around 90,000 people in Scotland currently living with dementia, and an estimated 1.7 million people providing unpaid care, the need for accessible, compassionate support has never been greater. For decades, The Eric Liddell Community has been a cornerstone of care in Edinburgh, offering specialist dementia day services, practical and emotional support for carers, and a welcoming space for connection and community.

Taking place at the charity’s home on Morningside Road, the Open Day will give visitors the opportunity to explore the vibrant community hub, learn more about its sector leading Dementia Day Care Service, and find out how carers can access dedicated support. Guests can also discover the charity’s open community activities, designed to reduce loneliness and foster meaningful connections.

The event will include guided tours of the building, interactive taster sessions that demonstrate how programmes are delivered, and opportunities to meet the experienced and compassionate team who continue Eric Liddell’s legacy of care.

Jo Wright, Building Operations Manager at The Eric Liddell Community, said: “If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind our stained glass windows, we are delighted to invite you in to see for yourself.

“Our Open Day is a celebration of the incredible work of our team and volunteers, and a chance to highlight the importance of the charity, not just as a care provider, but as a lively community hub helping to tackle loneliness and isolation.”

The Open Day will take place this Saturday, 7 March 2026, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at The Eric Liddell Community, 15 Morningside Road, Edinburgh, EH10 4DP. The event is free to attend, and no registration is required.

To find out more about The Eric Liddell Community, please visit: ericliddell.org.

To find out more about the Open Day, please visit:

 https://ericliddell.org/events/the-eric-liddell-community-open-day/ 

Call for greater resourcing as spending to support vulnerable children in Scotland is slashed

  • Spending cut of £1,700 per pupil from 2014/15 for those identified with additional support needs (ASN) – 30.1 per cent cut over a decade.
  • The number of pupils identified with ASN has more than doubled (102 per cent increase) over the same period.
  • A cut of 240 in the number of specialist ASN teachers.

The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC), an alliance of leading providers of specialist care and education to vulnerable children and young people, has warned of a potential lost generation of children and young people with ASN, and urged greater resourcing for this group.

ASN includes the likes of autism, dyslexia and mental health problems, and the coalition has urged provision of support for this to be a central issue in the forthcoming Scottish Parliamentary election campaign. 

The call comes as new figures contained in a parliamentary answer to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Jenny Gilruth MSP, reveal that average additional support for learning (ASL) spend per pupil has been slashed by nearly a third (30.1 per cent) over the last decade.[1]This comes against a perfect storm of escalating numbers of pupils with ASN and cuts in support.

The SCSC is urging the Scottish Government to work with local authorities to increase funding to support the needs of vulnerable children and young people, including greater provision of specialist ASN teachers, educational psychologists, speech and language therapists, behaviour support staff and classroom assistants.

The figures highlight that average spending per pupil on ASL by local authorities in Scotland (primary, secondary and special education) has fallen from £5,504 in financial year 2014/15 to £3,804 in 2024/25 (based on 2024/5 prices). This amounts to an overall cut in spending of £1,700 per pupil, representing a 30.1 per cent drop.

This funding fall is against the backdrop of a 102 per cent increase over the same period in the number of pupils identified with ASN, from 140,501 to 284,448, amounting to 127,443 individuals. Those with ASNrepresent more than a third of all pupils (36.7 per cent).2

In parallel with this, there has been a cut of 240 in the number of specialists ASN teachers, from 3,077 in 2014 to 2,837 in 2024.3

A report from Audit Scotland has called on the Scottish Government and local authorities to fundamentally rethink how they plan, fund and staff additional support for learning as part of core school education in Scotland.4

In January 2026, the Scottish Government announced a national review into the provision of ASL, led by the former Chief Inspector of Education in Scotland, Janie McManus. This will look at how to strengthen delivery, including provision in schools, and how policy is translating into effective practice.5

A spokesperson for the SCSC commented: “It is deeply concerning to see cuts to spending that support children and young people with ASN. While there is a record amount of spending in support of those with ASN, this is offset by a dramatic increase in the number of pupils affected, meaning that spending per pupil has been slashed.

“We urge all political parties to make provision for this group a central commitment in their election campaigns.

It is vital that the Scottish Government and local authorities increase resources to expand access to the likes of specialist ASN teachers, educational psychologists, and classroom assistants. Without this investment, we risk a lost generation of children with ASN missing out on the care and support they need, when they need.

“Additionally, proper resourcing is essential if we are to achieve genuine classroom inclusion and close the educational attainment gap. We therefore expect that the national review of ASL provision should address the critical issue of sufficient resourcing.

“The Scottish Government and local authorities must work together to ensure properly funded, consistent support across Scotland for children and young people with ASN — some of the most vulnerable members of our society.”

NOTES

[1] Scottish Parliament, Jenny Gilruth MSP Written Answer- S6W-43553, table 5, 20th February 2026. Available at: https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/questions-and-answers/question?ref=S6W-43553

2 Scottish Government, Pupil Census 2025 supplementary statistics, table 1.5, 9th December 2025.

3 Scottish Government, Teacher census supplementary statistics 2024, table 6.7, 25th March 2025. Available at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/teacher-census-supplementary-statistics/

4 Audit Scotland, Fundamental review needed of planning and resourcing of additional support for learning, 27th February 2025. Available at: https://audit.scot/news/fundamental-review-needed-of-planning-and-resourcing-of-additional-support-for-learning

5 Scottish Government, Delivering Additional Support for Learning, 15th January 2026. Available at: https://www.gov.scot/news/delivering-additional-support-for-learning/

Playlist for Life: Come Together

MONDAY 16th MARCH +++ ONLINE EVENT +++ 1 – 4pm

Join us in celebrating the power of playlists in Scotland’s communities!

We’re hosting an exciting gathering for friends and partners across the UK, with inspirational talks, learning, sharing ideas and of course, music!

Secure your place to hear:

🎶 Real life stories of how personalised music supports wellbeing

💚 Playlist for Life’s work on helping build playlisting communities

🫂 How community organisations are harnessing the power of personalised music to support people affected by dementia

💊 How health and social care professionals are using personalised playlists in dementia care

RSVP here: https://sbee.link/agwhvmye9j