Brian Whittle MSP has challenged the Scottish Government to rethink how it deals with mental health in the wake of the pandemic.
The South Scotland MSP used a debate at Holyrood on mental health to call for a greater emphasis on preventing poor mental health.
Prior to the pandemic, waiting times for NHS mental health services were already regularly breaking waiting time targets. Now, with concern growing about the impact on people’s mental health of the pandemic over the last year, particularly the prolonged lockdown during the winter, Brian joined calls from across the chamber for the Scottish Government to act.
Brian believes that the only way to tackle the burden of poor mental health in the long term is by doing more to help people protect their mental health. The former Olympic athlete has called for greater support to charities and community groups that work to deal with issues like inactivity, loneliness, and addiction, all of which can contribute to poor mental health.
In a later debate, Brian also highlighted the benefits to mental health of the Men’s Shed Movement, which give men a space to connect with people and have a chat.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“One of the biggest challenges we face in the coming months is the legacy of the pandemic on our mental health.
There’s no doubt we’re going to need more investment in the NHS and charities who provide help to people struggling with mental health. However, alongside that we should be looking at what we can do to help people look after their mental health.
The waiting times for mental health support are already far too long and the pandemic has only made things worse. Preventing poor mental health is vital if we want to avoid the NHS and other treatment services being overwhelmed.
That means supporting local sports clubs, community groups and organisations like Men’s Sheds that give people access to activities that are good for your mental health.”
