Gavin Newlands MP shows his support for new Mental Health Strategy
Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, has marked World Health Day by stating his support for the Mental Health Strategy launched by the Scottish Government last month – which contains detailed action that will help provide additional support to those suffering from mental health issues. Mental health is a key priority of the Scottish Government – with NHS spending on mental health projected to exceed £1 billion for the first time in 2017-18. The new mental health strategy is based on the principle of ‘ask once, get help fast’, and has been informed by extensive feedback from a range of stakeholders. Commenting, Gavin Newlands said: “The Scottish Government’s new Mental Health Strategy will be vital in ensuring that Scotland’s NHS is best placed to treat patients with mental health problems, reducing the stigma that comes with many of the conditions and making certain that everyone who comes forward with a mental health condition receives the treatment that they need when they need it. “It is important to raise awareness of mental health issues in order to encourage more people who are suffering to seek help – and awareness events such as World Health Day help do just that.
“The theme for this year’s World Health Day is ‘Depression: let’s talk’ and I believe that the Mental Health Strategy will be crucial in helping tackle depression across Scotland. “The Scottish Government has demonstrated its commitment to supporting the mental health care sector since coming to power a decade ago – including creating a specific ministerial role covering the mental health portfolio, and increasing the Child and Adult Mental Health Service workforce by 50% in the last decade. “The SNP remain firmly committed to delivering a world leading mental health care service – and the new mental health strategy is a major step on the way to doing that.”
