Robert Brown calls on Government to make mental health a priority

11.14.37am GMT Fri 21st Dec 2007

Glasgow Liberal Democrat MSP Robert Brown has called for a fresh approach to mental health problems. In a series of Parliamentary questions, Mr. Brown asked the Health Minister what the Scottish Government planned to do to meet its own target to cut the use of anti depressants by 10% by 2009.

Demanding that the Government tackle mental health as a priority, Mr. Brown pointed out the need for increased funding to treat mental health across Scotland, and particularly the need to ring fence funding given to health boards and local authorities for mental health.

Liberal Democrat analysis of the draft budget showed that mental health spending will be cut by 8.1% in cash terms, by the third year of the spending period.

Mr. Brown said:

"The Scottish Government must make mental health a priority for resources and budgeting.

"Access to psychiatric and even counselling services is varied around the country. There are long waiting lists and not enough rapid access services, like Steps in the southside of Glasgow. Anti depressants are not always the answer.

"Now, the existing £14 million mental health grant has been given to Local Authorities without any ring fencing. The SNP Government, as a priority, needs to ensure that funding given to health boards is ring fenced, so that the money goes to helping those suffering from mental health problems.

"We all know of the great cost to individuals, to families, society and the economy if mental health problems are ignored. It can be quite isolating for many patients, and affect their ability to work.

"We often hear that one in four of us will suffer from mental ill health over our lifetime. It is unacceptable that the Government is cutting the funding, at a time when mental health services in Scotland need more resources".

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