SNP BUDGET TAKES MENTAL HEALTH SPENDING TO OVER £1.1 BILLION

DIRECT INVESTMENT TO INCREASE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT IN MIDLOTHIAN AND EAST LOTHIAN
 
Constituency MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Colin Beattie, has welcomed direct investment in mental health services in the Scottish Budget, which will increase by £139 million and take overall spending in mental health to over £1.1 billion.
 
Finance Secretary Kate Forbes confirmed that the Scottish Government will be making £15 million available to support the continued establishment of local mental health services.
 
An additional £500,000 will also be made available to health boards this financial year to provide dedicated mental health support for health and social care staff during the Covid-19 pandemic. 
 
The Samaritans said they "welcome the recognition by the Scottish Government of the impact of Covid-19 on Scotland's mental health and wellbeing in today's Scottish Budget. We are pleased to see this recognition matched with an increase in direct investment in mental health services."
 
SNP MSP Colin Beattie said: 
 
“This Covid-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on many people’s mental health - and it’s welcome that the Scottish Government has recognised this and committed to investing over £1.1billion into mental health services.
 
“Lockdown restrictions, although vital for stopping the spread of the virus, have themselves had a negative impact on many people’s health and wellbeing, with more people experiencing financial insecurity alongside social isolation and the anxiety of living through a pandemic. 
 
“As such, mental health support is an absolute priority for this SNP Government, and this Budget supports overall mental health spending of more than £1.1 billion, which will contribute hugely to our recovery from the pandemic in Midlothian and East Lothian.
 
“This is a significant step forward in the SNP government’s package of measures to improve the mental health support available for children, young people and adults across Scotland.”