John Swinney and the SNP are “in denial” over Scotland’s “growing mental health crisis”, the Scottish Labour leader has said.
Speaking on Sunday, Anas Sarwar said children and young people are “falling through the cracks” regarding support for mental health, despite a rise in demand.
Using information supplied through a freedom of information (FOI) request, Scottish Labour also said more than 700,000 calls were made to NHS24’s mental health hub between 2021 and 2025, arguing that their party would provide the support needed to quell the problem.
If it gets into power, Labour said it will create an emergency mental health response service for specialist care while freeing up Police Scotland so they can tackle crime over mental health crises.
Scottish Labour also said it would also increase NHS funding for mental health services, as well as the number of professionals in the sector, and provide a new system for children and youngsters who have been referred to the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
Mr Sarwar said: “There is a growing mental health crisis taking hold in Scotland but John Swinney and the SNP are in denial.
“Demand for mental health support is on the rise, but there still isn’t a specialist emergency response service for people suffering a crisis.
“After 20 years of SNP government, mental health services are struggling to cope, kids are falling through the cracks at CAMHS and police are still responding to mental health emergencies.
“A Scottish Labour government will end the SNP’s neglect of mental health services and make sure struggling Scots get the help they need.”
He added: “We will establish a new emergency service for mental health, improve services across the board and make sure kids don’t fall through the cracks at CAMHS.
“Next week is our chance to turn the page on SNP failure, vote for better mental health services and deliver a better future for Scotland – but only Scottish Labour can do that.”
Clare Haughey, SNP candidate for Rutherglen and Cambuslang, and an NHS mental health nurse, said: “Under the SNP, our NHS has a record number of staff employed to provide mental health support and our mental health budget for the year exceeds £1.5 billion.
“Anas Sarwar and his Labour MSPs failed to back this in Parliament when they had the chance – and they now want to slash £1 billion from Scotland’s NHS which would cut support for people who need it.
“In contrast, a re-elected SNP government will expand Scotland’s NHS 24 Mental Health Hub to include psychological therapies, and we will also invest an additional £3.5 million this year to make it easier for people to get the help they need.
“This is the sort of serious action you get from the SNP under John Swinney’s reliable leadership.”