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More help for under-18s mental health
20/04/2009
Funding of £2 million to improve support services for children and young people with severe mental health problems has been announced.
The Scottish Government funding will directly help those affected by conditions such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia as well as severe depressive and eating disorders.
The cash will directly help those affected by conditions such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia as well as severe depressive and eating disorders.
Specialist NHS staff including psychologist, psychiatrists, nurses and mental health workers will provide a wide range of improved community based support including family therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and psychotherapy.
Delivered through child health clinics and home visits, the improved community services will reduce the chances of young people being admitted to hospital and enable them to stay at home with family and friends.
Young people who do require the help of 24-hour hospital care will benefit from better access to specialist inpatient units.
A new build young person's inpatient unit in the West of Scotland at Stobhill Hospital in Glasgow - complete with separate schooling facilities, a gym and family areas - will deliver expert treatment for under-18s.
With complimentary services in the community, the tailored care provided by inpatient units should deliver faster recovery and shorter stays for young patients, lessening the disruption to their lives.
Public Health Minister Shona Robison said:
"It is really important that children and young people who experience severe problems with their mental health are given the best possible support to recover and reach their full potential in life.
"This new funding will ensure that a range of specialist services are in place with staff who understand the complex needs of young patients and can deliver a service dedicated to them."
Caroline Selkirk, Child Health Commissioner for NHS Tayside said:
"I'm delighted that the Scottish Government has provided this additional funding for children and adolescent mental health. It will support existing services and help bring in new ways of working.
"In particular it will support better integration with partner organisations and it will improve support to children and families in the home environment."
Michael Van Beinum, Chair of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry for the Royal College of Psychiatrists Scotland said:
"Severe mental illness in children and young people is a reality for a number of Scottish children, and has a devastating impact on their lives.
"I have no doubt that this new money will make a very real difference to these children and I know that health boards across Scotland will use this money to further develop new and innovative services to meet the needs of this very ill group of children."
The Scottish Government is providing £2 million each year (2009-11), to be matched by NHS Boards, to enhance mental health services for children and young people across Scotland. The funding will be distributed to services through local NHS boards.