Funding of £10.83 million has been dedicated to improving access to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in Scotland.
The cash has been announced to improve access to CAMHS for the rest of this year to support children and young people with mental health problems and neuro-developmental support needs.
Mental Wellbeing and Social Care Minister Kevin Stewart said: “I am pleased to announce the allocation of £10.83 million health boards to support children and young people with mental health issues, and those with neurodevelopmental support needs.
“This funding will lead to substantial improvements in the mental health care that children and young people receive in Scotland, ensuring that the right support is available in the right place at the right time.
“We know the pandemic has had a negative impact on many people’s mental health – whatever their age or circumstances. That is why we committed £120 million to the recovery and renewal of mental health services in this year’s Programme for Government. I hope that the allocation I have announced today makes a real and lasting difference to children, young people and their families,” he added.
The allocation is part the of £120 million Mental Health Recovery and Renewal Fund announced in February 2021.
The investment will also increase the numbers of trained professionals to support children and young people with neurodevelopmental support needs.
The funded is designed to deliver a number of improvements including:
- Improved access to CAMHS assessments out of hours
- Helping to put in place specialist regional CAMHS services including those with learning disabilities and those requiring secure care
- Helping to provide access to CAMHS Intensive Home Treatment Teams
- Supporting mental health liaison teams within paediatric services
The Recovery and Renewal Fund supports many mental health measures contained in the Programme for government. Other policies include extra support for health and care staff, completion of the commitment to recruit 800 additional mental health workers this year and a pledge that at least 10% of frontline NHS spending will go towards mental health over this parliament.
