Scotland’s main political parties have thrown their support behind the Daily Record’s Save Young Lives campaign, promising to tackle youth suicide and reduce long waits for mental health services
Every major political party in Scotland has promised to make the mental health of our young people a key priority in their election manifestos after a Daily Record campaign demanded action to save lives.
We called on the Scottish Government to tackle a youth suicide epidemic after figures revealed that 26 per cent of deaths among young Scots are by probable suicide.
The shocking statistic was reported as thousands of children languish on waiting lists for mental health support – with up to a third of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) referrals being rejected.
As part of its Save Young lives campaign launched in October, the Record urged the Scottish Government to commit to making suicide prevention training mandatory in secondary schools and called for all political parties to back this move and to take steps to reduce waiting times for youth mental health services in manifesto pledges, ensuring this happens if they come into power.
Scottish Labour promised to support to the campaign by introducing a new emergency service to ensure youngsters in mental health crisis get urgent and specialist care if they win the election.
Mental Health spokesperson Paul Sweeney said: “The suicide of any young person is a devastating loss and we must recognise there are many ways that we can all do more as a community to prevent such tragic and avoidable deaths.
“Even the simple act of observing someone in school who doesn’t seem themselves and starting a conversation with them can disrupt and break a spiral of suicidal despair. It could be the difference between life and death.
“Scottish Labour will set up a new national Mental Health Emergency Response Service to help prevent more of our young people from being ignored when they reach out for help in a crisis.
“We are also committed to ensuring that CAMHS is there for those who need it, embedding an appropriate programme of mental health and wellbeing training, teaching and support in our schools for all staff and pupils. “
The Scottish Conservatives praised the Record’s campaign and pledged to ensure that young people are given the tools they need to protect their mental health.
Scottish Conservative Shadow Minister for Mental Wellbeing Brian Whittle said: “This excellent and timely campaign from the Daily Record highlights the importance of looking after young people’s mental health and the tragic consequences of failing to do so.
“Far too many vulnerable children are not getting the support they need when they need it most, with essential services overwhelmed by demand.
“Delays with treatment can cost lives and the thousands of young people stuck waiting for months or even years waiting for a first appointment when they need help.
“Young people and their families must be able to get the support they need, when they need it most.
“As we put together our policies for next year’s election, we’ll be exploring how schools can give young people the best start in all parts of life and give them the tools and support they need to look after their mental health.”
The Scottish Greens also joined our call for consistent school-based mental health training across the breadth of Scotland.
Co-leader Ross Greer said: “I’ve campaigned on this issue since the day I was elected almost a decade ago. I’m glad to see the Daily Record pushing for the changes which are still urgently needed to end youth suicide and that will be reflected in our manifesto for next year’s election.
“Young people struggling with their mental health need support and understanding. That requires every school pupil being shown where they can get support and knowing how to recognise risk in others.
“The number of pupils accessing counselling in school has increased in the last few years, but we know that there are thousands of young people, particularly young men, who are not yet accessing the services they need.
“More suicide prevention training would reduce the stigma which holds so many people back from asking for help.
“The work of schools is really important, but it also needs national and local government to do more to drive the change and ensure it is backed up with the funding and resources to make a difference. ”
The Scottish Liberal Democrats further backed the need for early intervention.
Leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “This is an important campaign from the Daily Record shining a light on this tragic issue.
“Scottish Liberal Democrats have spent years fighting to bring down mental health waits for young people and it will be a major feature of our manifesto next year.
“Coupled with action in schools, together we can create environments where people feel able to speak up and seek help, and show how you don’t have to be an expert to save someone’s life.”
It comes after First Minister John Swinney promised the SNP will do “everything in its power” to protect children from the crisis last month.
He reflected on the Save Young Lives campaign saying: “Every death from suicide is a tragedy and each of us, whether in government, the health service, education or in wider society, has a duty to do what we can to prevent it.”
Susan Hart lost her 16-year-old son Jordan after he took his own life in 2020. She has been backing our campaign since it launched.
Reacting to the cross-party political support, she said: “Mental health should always be viewed the same as physical health.
“If we start to view them on the same level, there would less stigma about seeking help.
“These children are our future and if you’d don’t give them the tools, then we are failing them.
“I hope all parties really do get behind this and put their money where their mouth is.”
