Youth commission launched to advise Scottish Government on young people’s mental health services

Mental health - Image credit: Pixabay

A commission led by young people has been launched to look at youth mental health services in Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government.

Drawing on their own experiences, the 22 members of the Youth Commission on Mental Health Services will lead a study to reshape the support available.

Working in partnership with the Scottish Government, Young Scot and the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) the team of young people will gather evidence on existing services, encourage debate among young people and develop recommendations for ministers and service providers on how child and adolescent mental health services can be improved.

Funding of £95,000 to establish the Youth Commission on Mental Health Services was announced in December 2017 and it is part of the 10 year Mental Health Strategy launched last year.

Mental health is also a key theme of the Year of Young People 2018.

Mental health minister Maureen Watt said she wanted the work by the commission to guide future mental health services and help break down stigma around poor mental health.

Watt said: “It is vital that we recognise that good mental wellbeing is as important as physical health and periods of ill mental health can be recovered from with treatment and support.

“The work of the young commissioners will guide how we improve the mental health services available to young people, and just as importantly, I want the discussion around their work to break down the unjustified stigma that persists around seeking treatment or experiencing poor mental health.

“This is the Year of Young People 2018 and this commission gives us an opportunity to deliver real change, based on evidence and experience, and create a society and health service that better meets the mental and physical health needs of our children and young people.”

Hannah, 17, one of the youth commissioners, said: “Throughout my life I’ve faced challenges with my mental health and getting support which has made me eager to see what can be done to improve access to mental health services.

“Many people close to me also deal with mental health issues and so I know how important and wonderful it is to build a support network.

“This is an opportunity to make a difference in a system that so many people in my community rely on.”