Families of young people failed by Scotland’s mental health system have spoken out as figures revealed more than 34,000 were referred for help in 12 months – the highest number in five years. A Daily Record investigation found more than 160,000 young Scots have been referred to the NHS’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) since 2018.
And just days after First Minister Humza Yousaf was quizzed over almost 200 vacancies in the service, data also revealed that average waiting times for young people accessing the service have rocketed in some areas post-Covid. Opposition MSPs have now demanded an urgent review of the “dangerously overstretched” service while families told the Record how children are being severely let down.
The family of 11-year-old Kyle Solman, who has tried to end his life four times in recent years, are campaigning for a “mental health A&E” for vulnerable youngsters. And the dad of tragic 15-year-old Anton Michael, who took his life at school in Stornoway despite being deemed “low risk”, spoke of his fears for thousands of troubled kids.
