Early signs of bowel cancer are often hidden, so it’s important to look out for changes in your bowel movements.
For a full list of signs and symptoms visit http://getcheckedearly.org/bowel-cancer
If you’re worried about your symptoms, your GP practice wants to know.
As the mental health crisis rages throughout our nation, the Scottish Government continues to fail to address the crucial role of occupational therapy for our forgotten citizens (writes FOYSOL CHOUDHURY MSP).
As Scotland contends with an escalating mental health crisis, it is heartbreaking to see the Scottish Government neglect the crucial role of occupational therapy in supporting our citizens. This oversight leaves countless individuals without the essential care they need to overcome their challenges and lead fulfilling lives. We must urgently address this gap and ensure that occupational therapy receives the recognition and support it deserves.
The shortage of occupational therapists in Edinburgh and across Scotland is truly distasteful. These professionals play a crucial role in helping individuals overcome physical, emotional, and social challenges, allowing them to achieve their full potential. The growing demand for occupational therapy services highlights the need for increased support and investment in this vital field.
Occupational therapists are essential in enhancing the quality of life for those with disabilities, mental health issues, and other barriers to daily living. Their work improves individual well being and strengthens our community by encouraging independence and resilience.
In Edinburgh, the need for occupational therapists is particularly severe. According to the Scottish Health Survey, more than 1 in 3 people in Scotland are affected by mental health problems each year. Furthermore, in a report conducted by the Scottish Action for Mental Health, over 50,000 people were admitted to hospital with mental health conditions in 2023/24.
These statistics underscore the urgent need for more occupational therapists to provide timely and effective care. The impact of occupational therapy extends beyond individual patients. By helping people regain their independence and participate in daily activities, occupational therapists contribute to the overall health and well-being of our community.
Occupational therapists operate in various settings, including hospitals, schools, and community centres, providing support to individuals of all ages. In Edinburgh, iThrive’s mental health and wellbeing strategy emphasises the importance of supporting and promoting mental health in addition to addressing mental illness.
Occupational therapists are at the forefront of these efforts, helping to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all. Despite the critical role of occupational therapists, there is a significant shortage of these professionals in Scotland. The Mental Health Inpatient Census 2022 revealed that there were 2,959 mental health, addiction, and learning disability inpatients in NHS Scotland at the time of the census.
This represents an 11% decrease compared with the 2019 Census and a 24% decrease since the first Census in 2014. The number of available beds for mental health, addiction, and learning disability patients has also been consistently decreasing, with a 12% decrease in available beds from the 2019 Census. These trends highlight the growing need for occupational therapists to provide essential care and support to those in need.
In a recent conversation with the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, I heard about the ongoing shortage of occupational therapists having far-reaching consequences. It leads to longer waiting times for patients, reduced access to services, and increased pressure on existing healthcare providers.
This delay in care can have a detrimental impact on the mental health and well-being of young people, making it even more critical to address the shortage of occupational therapists. We also discussed the need to expand the therapy workforce and improve early intervention, supporting people to be economically active.
To address this urgent need, we must prioritise the recruitment and retention of occupational therapists in Edinburgh and across Scotland.
This requires increased investment in education and training programmes to ensure that we have enough qualified professionals to meet the growing demand. Additionally, we must provide competitive salaries and benefits to attract and retain skilled occupational therapists. By investing in these professionals, we are investing in the future of our community, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Furthermore, we must raise awareness about the importance of occupational therapy and the critical role these professionals play in our healthcare system. Public campaigns and early educational initiatives can help to highlight the value of occupational therapy and encourage more individuals to pursue careers in this field. Through promoting the benefits of occupational therapy, we can help to build a stronger and more resilient healthcare system.
The need for occupational therapists in Edinburgh and Scotland is urgent and cannot be ignored. Here, we must value the life-changing power of occupational therapy. Let us work together to address this critical issue and build a healthier and more inclusive future for all.
Scotland’s new national suicide prevention campaign went live on Wednesday 16 April 2025. The campaign asks a simple question, “What if a conversation about suicide could save a life“?
It features four people with lived and living experience of suicide, each of whom agreed to share their story having been bereaved by, attempted or actively considered suicide.
The idea behind the campaign is that we need to normalise talking about suicide and give people the confidence to have a conversation that might just save someone’s life.
Alongside the campaign, a new website with a range of information, resources and a new local services directory is being launched at suicideprevention.scot.
This work is led by Suicide Prevention Scotland, the community of organisations working to deliver the Scottish Government and COSLA’s joint suicide prevention strategy, Creating Hope Together.
In addition to those with their own experiences of suicide, the campaign was developed with a group of people which also included those with professional experience and academic expertise. Suicide prevention specialists from local areas (Forth Valley and Ayrshire) were also involved, as was SeeMe, Scotland’s national programme to end mental health stigma and discrimination.
Suicide Prevention Scotland’s National Delivery Lead Haylis Smith who lost her uncle Joe to suicide said: “This is an extraordinary campaign. It’s deeply moving, extremely personal, and yet is full of hope. It is also very bold, which is no wonder given it was completely co-produced with people who bring their own experiences.
“The message could not be clearer: if you’re worried about someone, ask them how they are, ask them if they are thinking about suicide. Talking about suicide is the best way to prevent it from happening. And if you’re worried about yourself, please reach out. It might be the bravest thing you ever have to do, but it will probably be the best thing you ever do, too.”
Cllr Paul Kelly, COSLA’s Health and Social Care Spokesperson added: “Within COSLA and across all spheres of Government, we recognise the importance of early intervention – providing the right support at the right time as early as possible.
“I’m confident that this campaign will contribute to our early intervention outcomes by prompting people to have vital conversations about suicide that might just save a life.
“I commend Seonaid, Ross, Clare and Laura for sharing their stories and helping to encourage these conversations. They are all active members of our communities with lived and living experience, which is an essential factor in helping to normalise talking about suicide and ensuring people in need are supported within their local communities.”
If you are having thoughts of suicide, please reach out for help, speak to someone you trust or call one of these helplines:
Samaritans 116 123 or use the online chat at samaritans.org
Breathing Space 0800 83 85 87NHS 24 mental health hub on 111
If you are ever in immediate danger or have the means to cause yourself harm, you should dial 999 and request an ambulance.
MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION
Come rain or sunshine, the spring brings lots of wonderful opportunities to enjoy nature – and boost your mental health while doing so. 
1/ Go for a spring walk and tap into your senses – what do you see, hear, smell, and touch?
2/ Tend to your garden or houseplants, are you seeing any start to blossom?
3/ Get in touch with your creative side and draw, paint or collage spring’s nature.
4/ Animal lover? Walk in the countryside or visit a city farm and spot the new arrivals!
5/ Feeling adventurous? Go on a spring scavenger hunt and discover nature (find resources at Woodland Trust).
What are spring activities you enjoy, that bring you closer to nature?
Evidence shows that the vaccine can help prevent severe disease, hospitalisation and death in older adults and those with a weakened immune system.
If you’re eligible, it’s important to take up the offer of an additional dose.
Visit http://nhsinform.scot/covid19vaccine for more information.
Thousands of children to attend free breakfast clubs today, as UK government delivers its manifesto commitment and promise to working families
School mornings just got easier for families across England as 750 schools open breakfast clubs today, offering 30 minutes of free childcare, a healthy start for kids and a little more breathing room before the school bell rings.
Parents will be supported with additional time at the start of the day to attend appointments, get to work on time and run errands. In total, this means parents will be able to save up to 95 additional hours and £450 per year if their child attends free breakfast clubs every day.
This amount rises to a saving of up to £8,000 every year when combining the free breakfast clubs with further support through the expansion of government-funded childcare and new school uniform cap on branded items.
With the cost of everyday essentials stretching budgets, these clubs will be a lifeline for working families simply trying to get by. When you’re raising a family, every penny counts and that’s why the government is stepping in to ease the pressure and put money back in parents’ pockets.
No matter the postcode or the pay packet, every child deserves the same chance to thrive. That’s the principle behind this rollout — real support for families in every corner of the country, so no one is left behind.
These clubs sit alongside action to tackle the cost of living, with inflation falling for two months in a row, wages growing faster than prices and fuel duty frozen. The Labour government says that, together, they show the Plan for Change is delivering for working families.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “As a parent, I know that the combined pressures of family life and work can often feel impossible to juggle. That is why our manifesto promised to make parents lives easier and put more money in their pockets with free breakfast clubs. Under a year since we came into office, this government is delivering that through our Plan for Change.
“The rollout of free breakfast clubs is a truly game-changing moment for families in this country. They mean parents will no longer be hamstrung by rigid school hours and have the breathing space they need to beat the morning rush, attend work meetings and doctors’ appointments, or run errands. And crucially, it means better life chances for children.
“By making these clubs free and universal, we’re doing something that previous governments have never done. We’re going further and faster to deliver the change working families deserve. That’s the change this government was elected to deliver.”
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “Free breakfast clubs are a central part of our Plan for Change. At a time when there is so much pressure on families, they provide real help with the cost of living and ensure children start the day with a nutritious meal.
“On top of the hectic school run, parents should not have to worry about how to balance work and getting their children fed and ready for school. These clubs will break down barriers and help children settle in, focus and get the most out of their learning.
“We are delivering on our promises and giving every child the best start in life while making sure families get the support they need, wherever they live.”
According to new government data, parents are also motivated to take up free breakfast clubs because of the improvements they can have on their wellbeing.
Many see them as is an opportunity to socialise with other children before school (30%) and spend more time doing the activities they enjoy (28%) – offering a supportive start to the day that leads to better behaviour, and better life chances.
The rollout delivers on the government’s manifesto promise to ensure state schools offer free breakfast clubs to all pupils; while supporting its Plan for Change milestone to ensure tens of thousands more children start school ready to learn.
Victoria Taylor, mum of two children aged 5 and 7, said: “For me, free breakfast clubs provide vital support, meaning I can get into work a little easier and ensure my two kids are settled and ready to learn.
“I’m a primary school teacher, so early mornings are a must however I try to not let my busy schedule dictate the pace of mornings.
“Taking my children to breakfast clubs means I know they are fed, ready to start the day and emotionally regulated – the commitment to rollout nationally will make the world of difference for working families.”
Trade unions argue that the funding allocated to breakfast clubs just isn’t enough, while charities and campaigners say that scrapping the current two child benefit cap would make a far greater difference in tackling poverty for the poorest families.
THE RISE OF THE WALKING MARATHON
Taking your first steps to conquering a marathon
The Power of Walking
Angela Mairs, 58 from Livingston was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024, following a routine mammogram. She’ll be taking on her second Full Moon (26.2 miles) at this year’s MoonWalk Scotland.
“The MoonWalk Scotland 2019 was my first ever marathon – I’d never done anything like it before. Although it was a tough challenge, I felt such a huge sense of achievement when I finished.
“Having now been diagnosed with breast cancer myself, this time my marathon will be very personal. I need to build up my stamina following all my treatment and all the training I’ll need to do before September will give me a fantastic focus.”
Hay fever season is starting for many people across Scotland.
If you’re noticing itchy eyes, sneezing or a runny nose, you’re not alone – symptoms often begin as pollen levels rise in spring. Hay fever symptoms can start at any age.
For advice on how to manage hay fever and when to seek further help, visit 
nhs24.info/hay-fever
MANAGING WORK-RELATED STRESS
Stress is defined by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as ‘the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them’.
Some people benefit from a certain amount of pressure as it can keep them motivated. However, when there is too much pressure it can lead to stress.
Stress is not an illness but it can affect a person’s physical and mental health.
If not properly managed, stress can cause:
Stress can increase the risk of physical illnesses. For example:
There are many factors that can cause stress at work. These include:
Life events can have an impact on work-related stress.
Things that cause stress outside of work might include:
Workers do not have to tell their employer about their personal problems. But if they decide to, they might be able to get some support. For example:
Workers should look after their own health and wellbeing at work. If they are experiencing stress, they should talk to their manager as soon as they can. Managers should also look out for any signs of stress among workers.
Signs of stress can include:
If an employer or worker spots signs of stress, it can be helpful to have an informal chat. This can help them understand how the person is feeling and what support they need. Getting help could prevent more serious problems.
Managers could encourage workers to do a ‘Wellness Action Plan’. This can help them to:
Use a Wellness Action Plan from Mind
Learn more on our website: https://acas.org.uk/managing-work-related-stress…
Scotland’s new national suicide prevention campaign goes live today (16 April 2025).
Bold, unflinching, and deeply personal, it’s been entirely co-produced by people with lived and living experience of suicide.
It comes as a new website with a range of information, resources and a new local services directory is launched at suicideprevention.scot.
The campaign asks a simple question, “What if a conversation about suicide could save a life?”
It features four people, each of whom agreed to share their story having been bereaved by, attempted or actively considered suicide.
They do so by writing a letter to a loved one, or themself, which feature in a powerful new film.
The idea behind the campaign is that we need to normalise talking about suicide and give people the confidence to have a conversation that might just save someone’s life.
The four participants are Seonaid Stallan, Ross Cunningham, Clare Collin, and Laura Junor. They came together to share their letters and discuss their experiences, in a series of moving conversations.
In doing so they are creating a gamechanging moment when Scotland will start to have its biggest ever conversation about suicide.
This is important, because suicide is a topic that makes many of us nervous; it can feel like the hardest thing in the world.
What if I say the wrong thing? Could I make the situation worse? Maybe I’m worrying over nothing and would look foolish to bring it up?
But here’s something lots of people don’t realise.
Talking about suicide is the best way to prevent it from happening.
This work is led by Suicide Prevention Scotland, the community of organisations working to deliver the Scottish Government and COSLA’s joint suicide prevention strategy, Creating Hope Together.
There are four outcomes that shape the strategy with SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health) having responsibility for the key outcome that supports the campaign and website, improving understanding of suicide and tackling stigma.
In addition to those with their own experiences of suicide, the campaign was developed with a group of people which also included those with professional experience and academic expertise. Suicide prevention specialists from local areas (Fife and Ayrshire) were also involved, as was SeeMe, Scotland’s national programme to end mental health stigma and discrimination.
Clare Collin, who wrote her letter to nephew Gerry, but also lost her mum Prue and brother in law Sandy to suicide, comments:
“We knew Gerry was struggling with issues, but we never knew the depth of his pain or thought to ask him, ‘are you thinking about suicide?’
“If you are worried about someone, you should ask. If they are, don’t worry, you don’t need to be an expert, you just need to listen, be patient and compassionate, be there for them and help them find the right support – because it is out there.
“Don’t give up, keep trying until you find the right person to help.”
Suicide Prevention Scotland’s National Delivery Lead Haylis Smith who lost her uncle Joe to suicide says: “This is an extraordinary campaign. It’s deeply moving, extremely personal, and yet is full of hope. It is also very bold, which is no wonder given it was completely co-produced with people who bring their own experiences.
“The message could not be clearer: if you’re worried about someone, ask them how they are, ask them if they are thinking about suicide. Talking about suicide is the best way to prevent it from happening.
“And if you’re worried about yourself, please reach out. It might be the bravest thing you ever have to do, but it will probably be the best thing you ever do, too.”
Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Wellbeing Maree Todd says: “I’m pleased to see the launch of this new suicide prevention campaign and website, which sit at the heart of Scottish Government and COSLA’s suicide prevention action plan.
“The campaign’s powerful message that talking openly about suicide saves lives, is a clear invitation to us all – and will help tackle the stubborn taboo of suicide.
“Importantly, the campaign provides free digital and physical resources which can be adapted to reach people within different communities. The new website is a great addition to support anyone affected by suicide and aims to encourage more people to speak up and ask for help.”
Cllr Paul Kelly, COSLA’s health and social care spokesperson says: “Within COSLA and across all spheres of government, we recognise the importance of early intervention – providing the right support at the right time as early as possible.
“I’m confident that this campaign will contribute to our early intervention outcomes by prompting people to have vital conversations about suicide that might just save a life. I commend Seonaid, Ross, Clare and Laura for sharing their stories and helping to encourage these conversations.
“They are all active members of our communities with lived and living experience, which is an essential factor in helping to normalise talking about suicide and ensuring people in need are supported within their local communities.”
If you are having thoughts of suicide, please reach out for help, speak to someone you trust or call one of these helplines:
If you are ever in immediate danger or have the means to cause yourself harm, you should dial 999 and request an ambulance.
