More cash available to encourage community initiatives
Projects in Central Scotland that support trees, woodlands and green infrastructure, encourage community growing or promote active travel can now apply for a share of up to £700,000. Continue reading Growing greener
“I urge people not to let these terrorists win by dividing us and driving a wedge between the multi-cultural society Scotland is home to.” – First Minister Nicola Sturgeon
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon observed yesterday’s minute silence at the Glasgow Central Mosque as Scotland fell silent to remember those who died in the Paris terrorist attacks. Continue reading Scotland stands in solidarity
A few minutes of physical activity aids health and boosts performance
The Education and Health Secretaries have written to all primary schools in Scotland to encourage them to implement daily physical exercise as part of the school routine, through the roll out of the Daily Mile or other initiatives. Continue reading Primary kids get set for Daily Mile
“Tax Credits are a vital piece of support for many families who need to bridge the gap between low-paid work and the costs of raising a family.” – Julia Unwin, Joseph Rowntree Foundation Continue reading Tax Credit cuts: an impending disaster?
‘Emotional wellbeing is just as important as physical health’ – Alison Johnstone MSP
Relationships with friends, playing sport at least once a week and reading books all have a positive effect on mental wellbeing in teenagers, according to a new report.
Mental Health and Wellbeing among Adolescents in Scotland looks at trends and key associations for the mental health of boys and girls aged 13 and 15.
The report found that friendships and a positive experience of school are the two things most closely aligned with mental wellbeing. Other factors with a close positive association include expecting to go to university and belonging to a club.
Higher levels of deprivation and poorer physical health both correlate with lower levels of mental wellbeing.
Overall, levels of mental wellbeing have remained largely stable since 2006. Conduct problems, hyperactivity and inattention and social behaviour have improved since 2006. Emotional and peer relationship problems have worsened, which is largely attributable to an increase in the numbers of 15-year-old girls reporting emotional problems.
Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health, said: “I welcome this report, which contains useful data that will improve our understanding of why some teenagers experience poor mental health. It’s encouraging to see positive movements in several measures of mental wellbeing, including hyperactivity, conduct problems and social behaviour.
“Child and Adolescent Mental health is a key priority for the Scottish Government. We have recently announced an additional £100 million of funding for mental health services over the next five years. Some of this will be directed towards further improving child and adolescent mental health services. This is on top of a £19.8 million investment since 2009/10 that has led to a 70 per cent increase in the number of specialist psychologists working in this area.
“Every school in Scotland has access to a specialist in mental health, who can be contacted for advice and on-going support if teachers have concerns about any pupils.
“We know that the patterns and prevalence of different mental health problems through childhood and adolescence vary according to age, gender and deprivation. It is essential that services match their interventions to this dynamic background.
“The apparent increase in the number of 15-year-old girls who are experiencing emotional problems is something that we will look at carefully. We have seen a significant increase in the number of young people asking for help with their mental health in recent years, which may be attributable to greater awareness and lower stigma.”
Alison Johnstone MSP, health and wellbeing spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, urged ministers to act on the report, which shows a sharp decline in teenage girls’ emotional wellbeing.
The report highlights a Scottish Schools Survey showing that while fewer young people have conduct problems in 2013 compared to 2006, emotional problems have worsened, with 15 year old girls particularly affected. In 2010, 28 per cent of 15 year olds girls had a borderline or abnormal emotional problems score. This increased to 41 per cent in 2013.
Other surveys in the report also show girls have worse mental health and wellbeing than boys. Just 4 per cent of 15 year old girls always feeling confident, compared to 15 per cent of 15 years old boys.
Alison Johnstone MSP said: “These are significant findings and must be investigated further. The sharp drop in emotional wellbeing of 15 year old girls in recent years is a cause for concern and we should draw on the experiences of pupils, parents and teachers to understand what is causing this and how to turn the situation around.
“In general we know that good mental health and wellbeing among young people is at risk if they have fewer friends, dislike school and feel pressured. Encouraging support networks in and out of school and helping pupils play an active part in how their school is run would seem sensible steps to pursue. The finding that girls who play sport on a weekly basis have lower levels of emotional and behavioural problems underlines the need to invest in active lifestyles in and out of school.
“Emotional wellbeing is just as important as physical health. Ensuring good mental health in young people helps them grow into resilient adults able to handle life’s ups and downs.”
New procurement guidance launches Living Wage Week Continue reading To be fair: tackling low pay and zero hour contracts
Scottish Government plans a fairer approach to social security
Scotland’s new social security powers will make it fairer and simpler for people to access benefits, Social Justice Secretary Alex Neil has said.
Launching a paper today on government conversations with the public and stakeholders on how new social security powers should be used, Mr Neil said Scotland’s new social security system will treat people with respect and dignity.
More than 70 organisations working with children, carers, disabled people, ethnic minority representative groups and older people have taken part in discussions around the new powers.
A wide range of responses has been received on what we could do with these powers – and the consistent view is that that we need to take a fairer approach, one that does not stigmatise or punish people who receive benefits.
Mr Neil said: “The new social security powers are part of the conversation on what will make a fairer Scotland. This feedback is helping us develop our own social security system which we will ensure treats individuals with respect and removes the barriers that cause confusion and anxiety for some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
“The new system will have at its heart a set of principles and values. This will include ensuring people are treated with respect and dignity when applying for, being assessed for, and receiving disability-related benefits.
“It is clear we must provide people with relevant information so they are aware of how the system will work for them and how long decisions will take.
“It is also important that the system is fair and efficient – that the investment we all make in social security is well managed and is directed at the people who need it, in the way that will support them best.
“Through the current system many people, including carers, young people, families and those who can’t work because of disabilities or mental health, have all faced cuts and discrimination as a result of the UK Government welfare reform programme.
“Just last month we announced we will abolish the UK Government ‘84-day rule’ which means families who face higher living costs due to their child’s illness or disability will not be penalised when their child goes into hospital or has necessary medical treatment.
“We also announced last week that the needs of carers will be placed at the heart of the devolved carers’ allowance. We are determined to ensure that the allowance – like our new social security system as a whole – meets people’s needs, addresses their priorities and respects their rights.
“This is an early signal of our refusal to take an approach that punishes the vulnerable and instead focuses on fairness, accessibility and stability.”
The Scottish Government will publish a further paper by the end of the year setting out its outline vision for social security in Scotland.
The paper outlining the conversation so far is available to view at http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/10/3498
You can find out more on social security work at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/People/fairerscotland/future-powers/powers
‘Charging to park at hospitals was an unnecessary financial burden on families and those needing treatment at a difficult time’ – Health Secretary Shona Robison
Scrapping car parking charges at most of Scotland’s hospitals has saved patients, staff and visitors more than £25 million over the past seven years, the Scottish Government announced today.
Since 31 December 2008 parking has been free for patients, visitors and staff at hospitals where charges had previously applied – although charges remain in place at PFI hospitals including Edinburgh’s Royal Infirmary.
Health Secretary Shona Robison said: “The founding principle of our NHS is to have services that are free for everyone – services that are not out to make profit. That’s why I’m delighted that getting rid of car parking charges has saved patients and staff over £25 million.
“Charging to park at hospitals was an unnecessary financial burden on families and those needing treatment at a difficult time.
“Health boards are also continuing to work hard to put plans in place for addressing potential increases in demand, the promotion of greener transport and the possible misuse of spaces by commuters or others.
“I would like to be able to abolish charging at the three PFI car parks too but, unfortunately, these facilities are locked into long-term contracts with operators which precede this Government. We continue to keep these under review.”
Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival launches today – World Mental Health Day
A national Ats and Film Festival tackling the stigma of mental health opens in Edinburgh this weekend, celebrating its ninth year.
Over 60 events are scheduled to take place across Lothian as part of the 2015 Mental Health Arts and Film Festival, making it one of the largest social justice festivals in the world, (SMHAFF) with performing arts, literature, photography, comedy and dance all set to feature.
The Festival officially opens today – World Mental Health Day – and this year explores the theme of ‘passion’
Linda Irvine Strategic Programme Manager, Mental Health and Wellbeing, NHS Lothian, said: “One in four people in Scotland will experience mental health problems at some point in their life but it is still something which attracts significant stigma.
“Through the many powerful, inspiring and provocative events taking place this year, the Festival aims to open up conversations about mental health and go some way towards challenging discrimination.”
Gail Aldam, Festival Manager, Scottish Mental Health and Arts Festival, said “We are delighted with the scale and scope of the events taking place in Edinburgh and Lothian this year and are struck by the passion that the planning team have for using art to give a voice to marginalised groups, challenging social injustice and instigating change.
“There really is something for everyone in the programme, offering an inspiring range of arts activities from spoken word to visual arts to music, across the region.”
Highlights of this year’s Festival include:
There is also a wide ranging film programme curated from the more than 400 entries submitted to the Festival by filmmakers from across the globe. The winners will be recognised at a special awards ceremony hosted at the Filmhouse on 29 October.
Highlights of the film programme include the Scottish premiere of documentary Dancing With Maria, telling the story of Argentinian dancer Maria Fux who welcomes dancers from all backgrounds, including men and women with physical and mental impairments, to her Buenos Aires studio and Ida’s Diary – a powerful film that has been used by many mental health organisations for training and awareness raising purposes.
Details of all events taking place as part of this year’s Festival can be found at: www.mhfestival.com
WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (WHO)
World Mental Health Day 2015
Thousands of people with mental health conditions around the world are deprived of their human rights. They are not only discriminated against, stigmatised and marginalised but are also subject to emotional and physical abuse in both mental health facilities and the community. Poor quality care due to a lack of qualified health professionals and dilapidated facilities leads to further violations.
The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day, observed on 10 October, is “Dignity in mental health”. This year, WHO will be raising awareness of what can be done to ensure that people with mental health conditions can continue to live with dignity, through human rights oriented policy and law, training of health professionals, respect for informed consent to treatment, inclusion in decision-making processes, and public information campaigns.
Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health, Jamie Hepburn comments on World Mental Health Day:
“On World Mental Health day, I am proud to be the first Scottish minister with mental health in my job title. While this is a sign of how seriously we take this issue – I want us to be judged on the actions, not words.
“Demand for services is increasing significantly. The number of people seen by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services has risen by 30 per cent in the last year – more than 1,000 extra patients in the quarter ending June 2015. To respond to this we are investing heavily in the workforce. For example, we’ve seen a 70 per cent increase in the number of CAMHS psychologists working in Scotland’s health service since 2009/10.
“Yes, there are challenges, but we have also made great progress. Waiting times have decreased significantly, we have better data to drive improvement, and the number of deaths by suicide are their lowest level since 1977. This doesn’t mean we’re complacent. More progress is needed and we continue to work with health boards to attract more staff and bring waiting times down further. That’s one of the reasons why we’ve committed to invest an extra £100 million in mental health over the next five years. This funding will also be used to promote wellbeing, improve patient rights and develop better responses to mental illness in primary care.
“We’re moving towards the end of our current mental health strategy and are assessing what the strategy has achieved. Once we have a clear picture of our progress against the 36 commitments we set, we will then decide the best focus for the next strategy.
“The 2015 Mental Health Act will strengthen the framework for mental health legislation making the system more effective and efficient, and promoting patient involvement in their care, through strengthening the position of advocacy and advance statements.
“Mental health has deservedly moved up the agenda and that’s something we can all welcome. As treatment improves and the stigma of mental illness decreases, we will see more people coming forward to ask for help. I’m determined that we are able to meet that challenge.”
‘We’re watching you frackers’: Campaigners vow to keep up the pressure
The Scottish Government has put in place a moratorium on underground coal gasification (UCG) in Scotland. Campaigners have welcomed the announcement but are urging members of the public to make their voices heard in a new consultation.
Organisers also confirmed that an an anti-tracking publicity event, which is expected to attract hundreds of protesters, will go ahead on Sunday.
Yesterday’s announcement is separate to the existing moratorium on onshore unconventional oil and gas, including hydraulic fracturing – and comes as ministers have also informed Parliament that the Government will carry out a thorough and wide-ranging research process into the potential impacts of such onshore techniques.
The moratorium on onshore unconventional oil and gas was announced by the Energy Minster Fergus Ewing in January, when he set out plans for a full public consultation and outlined a programme of research work including:
Since then the Government has undertaken a series of meetings with the key stakeholder groups including environmental NGOs, industry, local government and community organisations. Those meetings have helped inform the government’s decision to extend the planned work which will also now also include:
This work comes further to an independent Scientific Panel report on unconventional oil and gas which has already been undertaken.
Ministers published the planned research and public consultation timetable yesterday and confirmed that the public consultation will begin once the research process has been finalised and the results published. This will give the public a chance to study the research reports before taking part in the public consultation. The detailed evidence-gathering phase will take place between now and next summer, with the consultation phase, covering engagement, public consultation and analysis, due to conclude in spring 2017.
In line with the cautious, evidence-based approach adopted by the Scottish Government, a separate moratorium on Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) will allow the necessary time for full and careful consideration of the potential impacts of this new technology.
Ministers have been clear that these are two separate technologies, subject to different licensing regimes, and hence will be considered separately.
The Scottish Government has appointed Professor Campbell Gemmell, former CEO of SEPA, to lead an independent examination of the issues and evidence surrounding UCG. This will include working closely with communities and stakeholders to understand the issues of most concern to them.
Mr Ewing said: “The studies announced today constitute an extremely thorough and wide-ranging examination of the potential impacts of unconventional oil and gas and underlines the Scottish Government policy of taking a precautionary, robust and evidence-based approach to this technology in stark contrast to the gung-ho approach of the UK Government.
“Ministers have held meetings with representatives of environmental non-governmental organisations, community groups, industry bodies and local government. Those meetings have helped us to prepare for the research and public consultation processes. As a result, we have planned a robust and thorough research process and a wide-ranging and participative consultation process.
“The public will understandably wish to study the outcome of the research process and thus the public consultation will not begin until the findings of the research process have been published.
“Scotland’s moratorium into onshore unconventional oil and gas extraction was welcomed by both environmental campaigners and industry representatives. It will remain in place as the research and public consultation is undertaken.
“We should never close our minds to the potential opportunities for Scotland from new energy technologies – but we must also ensure that community, environmental and health concerns are all fully taken account of. The research we propose in this timetable will give all interested stakeholders important information to allow a more informed debate during the public consultation.
“In line with our evidence-led approach we are today also putting in place a moratorium on the onshore planning of underground coal gasification developments to allow time for full and careful consideration of the potential impacts of this technology for Scotland.”
In line with the Government’s evidence-led approach, boreholes relating to unconventional oil & gas will only be permitted when research and geoscience is the key driver and where they are delivered in collaboration with an independent research body, such as the British Geological Survey, or academic institution, and for the purposes of furthering the evidence base on unconventional oil and gas.
Any proposed boreholes would also have to gain planning permission, environmental and health and safety consents before they are allowed.
Environmental groups have welcomed the announcement but warn that they will keep up the pressure to ensure Scotland remains free from fracking.
Mary Church, Head of Campaigns at Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: “Well done to Fergus Ewing for announcing this important new moratorium. Underground coal gasification is a risky and experimental technique, with a very chequered history around the world. This industry clearly deserves the same public scrutiny as shale gas fracking and coal bed methane.”
She added: “We warmly welcome the Scottish Government’s detailed timetable for action, and the extended research remit announced today. This framework for reviewing shale gas fracking and coalbed methane looks like a well designed process, over a sensible timescale. The experience from the growing number of states and regions around the world with bans and moratoriums is clear that undertaking a thorough review of unconventional gas cannot be rushed.
“We strongly urge individuals and communities to fully engage with this process and make their opposition to this dirty industry clear. All too often the millions spent on PR by big corporations can crowd out the voices of affected communities and those speaking up for the environment and public health when it comes to important policy or decisions like this. INEOS and others have big budgets at their disposal to get their points across. It is vital that people the length and breadth of Scotland who don’t want to see the central belt wrecked by the fossil fuel industry make their voice count in this review.
“There is a growing body of evidence from around the world that fracking for shale gas, extracting coal-bed methane and the underground coal gasification process poses unacceptable risks for human health and the environment. In December 2014 New York State joined a number of countries and regions in deciding to banning fracking after undertaking a two-year assessment on the impacts of fracking on human health and the environment.
“We are particularly glad that climate change impacts are to be the subject of detailed study. In the context of our international obligations to cut emissions it would be completely irresponsible for a hydrocarbon-rich nation like Scotland to open up a new frontier of fossil fuels, further exacerbating the climate crisis.
“We are confident that when the evidence is independently assessed and the Scottish public have had a chance to voice their concerns, this consultation will lead to a full ban on unconventional gas and fracking.”
The Our Forth campaign group has also welcomed the announcement – but their protest event on the Forth Bridge this Sunday will go ahead as planned.
A spokesperson said: “Our Forth warmly welcome the Scottish’s Government’s announcement today of a Moratorium on Underground Coal Gasification.
“We urge people all over Scotland to take heart from this development and add their voices to the call for a complete ban on all unconventional gas in Scotland by joining hands with other Scottish communities on Sunday 11 October at 2pm on the Forth Road Bridge.
“We are pleased to see that the Scottish Government is listening to community concerns and we will continue our campaign to encourage the public to research the mounting evidence from across the world that shows fracking for shale gas, extracting coal-bed methane and the underground coal gasification process poses unacceptable risks for human health and the environment.
“These moratoria present communities with an opportunity to inform each other and drown out the PR machines of these damaging industries. It is vital that people the length and breadth of Scotland who don’t want to see the central belt wrecked by the fossil fuel industry make their voice count in the public consultation that’s also been announced today.”
TIMETABLE FOR RESEARCH PROCESS AND CONSULTATION ON ONSHORE UNCONVENTIONAL OIL AND GAS
| Summary of work and timetable | |
| Task | Date |
| Evidence-gathering | |
| Public Health Impact Assessment (Health Protection Scotland) | Autumn 2015 – Summer 2016 |
| – Stakeholder workshops | Autumn/Winter 2015 |
| – Peer review | Spring/Summer 2016 |
| – Publish Final Report | Summer 2016 |
| Research project 1 – Transport impacts | Autumn 2015 – Summer 2016 |
| – Open and competitive tender | Autumn/Winter 2015 |
| – Appoint contractor | Winter 2015/16 |
| – Stakeholder workshops | Winter 2015/16 |
| – Publish Final Report | Summer 2016 |
| Research project 2 – Decommissioning and aftercare | Autumn 2015 – Summer 2016 |
| – Open and competitive tender | Autumn/Winter 2015 |
| – Appoint contractor | Winter 2015/16 |
| – Stakeholder workshops | Winter 2015/16 |
| – Publish Final Report | Summer 2016 |
| Research project 3 – Seismic activity and monitoring | Autumn 2015 – Summer 2016 |
| – Open and competitive tender | Autumn/Winter 2015 |
| – Appoint contractor | Winter 2015/16 |
| – Stakeholder workshops | Winter 2015/16 |
| – Publish Final Report | Summer 2016 |
| Research project 4 – Economic Impacts | Winter 2015/16 – Summer 2016 |
| Research Project 5 – Climate Change Impacts | Winter 2015/16 – Summer 2016 |
| Regulation and Planning | |
| Workshops and Engagement | Winter 2015/16 – Summer 2016 |
| Report on Findings | Autumn 2016 |
| Consultation | |
| Pre-consultation engagement (including stakeholder forums, and public engagement) | Winter 2015/16 – Autumn 2016 |
| 4 month Public Consultation | Winter 2016/17 |
| Consultation Analysis | Spring 2017 |
