The Scottish Government

This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007

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Increase in mental health funding

21/10/2002

The Mental Illness Specific Grant is set to rise to £20m next year, it was announced today.

Speaking at the 'New Initiatives in Mental Health' meeting of the PROP Stress Centre in Pilton, Edinburgh today, Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm said:

"The development of more community mental health services is at the heart of developments in mental health. That comes mainly from the increasing amounts being spent by NHS Boards on mental health but partly through initiatives such as Mental Illness Specific Grant. Following the increase to the Mental Illness Specific Grant by £1m from April 2001, today I am delighted to announce that we are increasing it again, to £20m with effect from April 2003. This will see the funding of this grant at record levels This will give stability to existing services, and help with training of the staff and volunteers who are so vital to these projects.

"I believe the Mental Illness Specific Grant has a valuable function in supporting mental health services in the community. I have seen some of these at first hand, and have been impressed by the importance users place on the services provided. These services provide a valuable resource for people with mental health problems and can make a real difference - somewhere to go during the day, advice and information with specific problems, advocacy help and friendship, often providing a sense of place and belonging."

Local authorities, together with the voluntary sector, are key partners in providing social care services for people with mental health problems. Mental Illness Specific Grant is provided through local authorities to around 400 small-scale projects operating in local communities throughout Scotland which support people with mental health problems. These projects provide a range of services, including drop-in centres, day services, counselling services, information and advice, education and employment schemes, advocacy, befriending, and respite care and home-based care.

The Mental Illness Specific Grant was introduced in 1991 under the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 to assist local authorities to develop services in the community for people with mental health problems and for their carers. This was introduced in tandem with the Government's Care in the Community policy.