We are delighted by the Scottish Government’s announcement to boost funding for mental health services by £54m. The money will be used to improve availability of psychological therapies and increase the provision of services available to young people.
Mental health is one of the major public health challenges in Scotland. It is estimated that 1 in 3 people are affected by mental illness each year. Mental Health is a greater problem in Scotland than Obesity yet has been consistently overlooked in recent years.
Mental Health issues is Scotland’s hidden problem and we are delighted to see this being recognised. Whilst treatment is available on the NHS there is usually a significant waiting list, in some areas up to 9-12 months. People who are suffering from depression, anxiety, or other mental illnesses have already likely suffered in silence for some time and after eventually plucking up the courage to seek help from their GP can be crippled when told help is not on its way for such a long period of time.
We act daily for people suffering from psychiatric injuries and know the impact it on a person. This can range from serious PTSD to moderate travel anxiety. Often clients involved in road traffic accidents suffer on with travel anxiety for years until they are directed to the necessary help. A client may have taken the bus to work every day for years as a result of lost confidence after a car accident. Many people don’t realise that this is just as much of an injury as the physical bruises and scars. It requires treatment too. Often it takes just a few CBT sessions to allow the person to fully recover, even after years of suffering.
We are delighted to help people get their lives back on track in this way. Fortunately we are usually able to obtain treatment quickly recover the cost from the at fault party. However until then the person has suffered in silence or is working their way through a long NHS waiting list.
Mental health issues can deteriorate if not treated and will continue to affect people’s lives, and the lives of their families. Hopefully increased awareness together with the funding can help so many people out there who need it.
