Question reference: S5W-28847
- Asked by: Mary Fee, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 4 May 2020
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Current status: Answered by Clare Haughey on 19 May 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support the mental health of children and young people during the COVID-19 outbreak, and what plans it has to further support the mental health of children and young people (a) during and (b) after the current lock-down.
Answer
We have recently announced we are providing £105,000 to support Young Scot to develop enhanced digital content and resources on mental wellbeing. This will ensure that children and young people have a central place which will provide them with information, advice and signposting to support their mental health and wellbeing during, and after, the current lockdown.
We want to make sure anyone who has been identified as needing support can get services that are appropriate to their needs. Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) continue to support children and young people in need of specialist support, although there will be adjustments in how that is delivered to accommodate coronavirus restrictions.
We have established regular contact and communication with all NHS Boards and are speaking to them on a weekly basis . On 1 May, a set of principles to guide the delivery of mental health services throughout this period were issued to all NHS Boards. The principles answer some key questions that have been raised by mental health service leads around referral processes, collecting data and managing existing waiting lists.
We will continue to monitor surveys and research that provide us with an understanding of how children and young people are feeling during the coronavirus pandemic to ensure that the right help and support is available.