£15m Covid package for Scots pupils' mental health needs

A £15 million funding package has been announced to help Scots pupils deal with the mental health problems associated with returning to school during the coronavirus pandemic.

Youths pass the time away amongst the tenement blocks of the Barlanark area in Glasgow. Picture: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

The support comes in response to a plea from families for more support in a community setting to help deal with the emotional distress felt by youngsters.

The money will be distributed to local authorities to support a local response for five to 24-year-olds, their families and carers.

Mental health minister Clare Haughey said: “The pandemic has been very hard for everyone, but for many children and young people it has been particularly difficult.

Mental health minister Clare Haughey

“Families have told us they need more support for mental and emotional distress and for their wellbeing and resilience, delivered in a community setting. By providing funding to tackle the impacts of the pandemic, alongside a separate fund to provide long-term mental health and wellbeing support, we aim to deliver help where it is needed.

“This funding is in addition to supporting the recruitment of an additional 80 mental health professionals to work with children and young people, and our recent announcement of a further £3.6m to help provide more than 80 additional counsellors in every college and university in Scotland over the next four years. We are also ensuring that every secondary school will have access to a counsellor.”

The package will see £11.25m allocated to services in response to the pandemic, such as support for children who are struggling emotionally due to returning to school under new restrictions.

The remaining £3.75m will be the first instalment of an annual £15m fund to provide new and enhanced community mental health and wellbeing services. These new services will have a focus on prevention, early intervention and the treatment of distress.

Cosla spokesman for children and young people Stephen McCabe said: “The wellbeing of our children and young people is of upmost importance to local authorities and has been a particular priority in recent months due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This funding will allow local authorities to continue their work to support young people’s mental health and wellbeing needs arising as a result of the pandemic.”

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