Herald (Scotland)

The Scottish Government has been urged to do more to tackle mental health problems in schools, after ministers published a new strategy.

Health Minister Michael Matheson published the document, which sets out 36 commitments including faster access to mental health services for young people, initiatives to reduce and prevent suicide and enhanced efforts to tackle stigma.

However, the The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) says research has found one in ten British children has a mental health problem at any time - the equivalent of three in an average classroom - and says schools can help.

Laurie Clarke, BACP chief executive, said:

"We welcome the Scottish Government's Mental Health Strategy as a genuine attempt to address the needs of this often marginalised section of Scottish society. While the strategy focuses on early-intervention approaches for children and young people, it fails to recognise the role that schools can play in tackling mental health problems.

"Specialist counselling services in schools are a cost-effective way of intervening before mental illness develops and preventing long-term mental health problems among the next generation. Estimates show that every pound spent on such services will save the NHS in Scotland £3 over the long term."

The original article can be viewed here: http://tinyurl.com/cgrdmvg

The 2012-2015 Mental Health Strategy for Scotland can be found on the Scottish Government website here: http://tinyurl.com/brfbg3m