Wasted talent

Donald Peters (Letters, 8 July) makes a really serious point about the link between the increase in antidepressant prescriptions in Scotland and the lack of meaningful jobs here, and it is surely something that politicians and decision-makers need to take far more ­seriously.

In common with the rest of the UK, Scotland’s manufacturing industry has been decimated. No doubt there are global economic reasons for this, but that should not mean we can’t do something about it.

Instead, the model of business we are offered seems to be that portrayed by the truly dreadful Apprentice programme, which equates entrepreneurship with glamorous airheads competing to sell rubbish to people who don’t want it.

Yet a quick glance at Monday’s Letters page makes it clear that there is a whole lot of meaningful work which needs to be done in Scotland – better conservation of Scottish wildlife, better care for people suffering from dementia, better education about littering, together with more effective sanctions against those who continue to pollute the environment.

Donald is right – no-one wants to do meaningless work like packing books for Amazon, especially when they have worked to attain educational qualifications which are supposed to fit them for something much better.

Surely one of the reasons that the whole country was so enthusiastic about Andy Murray’s victory at Wimbledon on Sunday was that it demonstrated the reward for talent, dedication and hard slog.

There aren’t many champions like Andy, but there are many talented people in Scotland seeking a genuine outlet for their talents, and given the many challenges the country faces it would be unethical as well as foolish not to capitalise on their efforts.

(Dr) Mary Brown

Dalvenie Road

Banchory