PANDEMIC RECOVERY MUST DELIVER SUPPORT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE’S MENTAL HEALTH

Children and young people’s mental health has been challenged during this pandemic due to school closures and losing interaction with friends. While much focus has been on the disruption to young people’s education, we cannot ignore the impact the pandemic has had on their emotional wellbeing.

I welcome the action of the Scottish Government to improve mental health waiting times and support services. There is a clear link between poverty and poor mental health, as well as physical health, so any strategy to improve the mental health outcomes of young people must therefore tackle inequality head on. However, with the real levels to tackle inequality reserved to Westminster, urgent action is needed on this issue from the UK Government.

Supporting young people and children who have mental health needs is a priority for the Scottish Government and I urged the UK Government Minister to make this a similar priority for the UK Government.

You can watch my speech below.