Scots have waited more than 1,000 days for mental health treatment as the NHS struggles to meet demand, new figures show.
Three health boards - Fife, Tayside and Shetland - have all recorded examples of patients left waiting more than 32 months to receive psychological therapies.
Figures uncovered by the Scottish Lib Dems found that one individual in Fife waited 1,482 days before their treatment started.
The NHS faces a huge backlog after thousands of non-emergency services and operations were cancelled as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The current Scottish Government target is for 90 per cent of patients to start treatment for psychological therapies within 18 weeks of referral by March 2023.
Alex Cole-Hamilton, Scottish Lib Dem leader, said: "The government’s neglect of mental health is shocking.
"It’s becoming ever more apparent that they have no intention of clearing waiting lists and meeting their treatment time target.
"Patients cannot be put on hold for more than 1,000 days - their mental state will simply worsen with every day that passes.
"We need actions that will be met, not targets that will be broken. I am committed to bringing new hope for Scotland’s healthcare system.
"On top of training hundreds of new counsellors, Scottish Lib Dems would make sure every school has access to a counsellor and ramp up training so that every workplace can get the benefit of a mental health first aid trainer.
“We need to put the experience of staff at the heart of recovery. Mental health services are under huge pressure. It is time for new hope."
Kevin Stewart, minister for mental wellbeing, insisted the Scottish Government was on-track to eliminate the "majority" of the waiting times backlog for psychological therapies by next year.
He said: “Long waits for mental health treatment are unacceptable and we continue to work with health boards to ensure patients begin treatment within 18 weeks of referral.
"Improvement plans are in place in seven health boards to enhance their CAMHS delivery and we are monitoring progress closely.
"We are working with mental health leads in these boards to implement recovery plans.
"Latest national performance data shows over 5,000 children and young people began treatment in the last quarter - the highest ever recorded.
"We are on track to eliminate the majority of CAMHS and psychological therapies waiting times backlogs by March 2023.”
A spokesperson for Fife Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) said: "Psychological therapies are provided for a wide section of the population and not just those individuals in receipt of mental health services.
"Fife HSCP remains on target to deliver the Scottish Government ambition for access to psychological therapies to be delivered to 90 per cent of individuals within 18 weeks from the point of referral.
"As would be expected, there are weekly changes to the waiting list data, as new patients begin therapy, and others conclude their treatment.
"Fife HSCP is unable to discuss individual cases however the psychological therapy needs of people vary greatly and where more complex needs are involved, it can be challenging to ensure the appropriate level of intervention.
"We are committed to ensuring timely access to all our mental health services with increased investment in our services, a focus on recruitment of specialist staff and working with partner organisations to deliver mental health support services in Fife."
To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here.
