THE Scottish Government has faced calls to overhaul university mental health services, following the revelation that almost 2000 students in Scotland are currently on waiting lists for counselling.
Freedom of Information requests submitted by the Scottish Liberal Democrats revealed that, as of March 29 this year, at least 1874 students were awaiting counselling - including 900 at the University of Edinburgh alone – while some students at both Edinburgh and Glasgow had waited over three months for support.
Commenting, Scottish LibDem leader Alex-Cole Hamilton said that the Scottish Government should look at whether the current model of counselling is sufficient, and whether more should be done to connect university services with the wider NHS.
READ MORE: Wee Ginger Dug: Indy opponents will blame Holyrood for Westminster's sins
Calling for new dedicated mental health staff in colleges, classrooms and GP surgeries across Scotland, Cole-Hamilton added: “The government needs to stop treating people struggling with their mental health like second-class citizens.”
Responding, Scotland’s minister for higher and further education Jamie Hepburn told the National: “We know the period of lockdown has had a significant impact on student mental health. We are determined to support our students as we return to a more normal way of university and college life.”
Highlighting the Scottish Government’s investment of over £11.5 million over the past three academic years for over 80 additional counsellors in Scottish colleges and universities, Hepburn said that a new Student Mental Health Action Plan currently in development would incorporate “a wide range off initiatives to improve student mental health and wellbeing.”
However, NUS Scotland president Ellie Gomersall told the National that “student mental health is in crisis”, and that a lack of clear, long-term funding for counsellors and long waiting lists for support has escalated the “terrifying reality” facing Scotland’s students.
Regarding the Scottish Government’s commitment to a Student Mental Health Action Plan, Gomersall said: “We are yet to see this plan in action.”
NUS Scotland research has indicated that 64% of students’ financial worries are impacting their mental health, while 22% are concerned about running out of food.
Gomersall commented: “As the cost-of-living escalates, we’re likely to see more students in crisis and distress unless the Scottish Government prioritises and secures funding for student mental health. “
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel