A new study published will provide data for the Scottish Government to track the mental health and wellbeing of the Scottish population over a 12 month period. This will allow the government to tailor its mental health policy response to the pandemic as needs evolve. Commenting on the publication of the first wave of the Scottish COVID-19 Mental Health Tracker study, Mental Health Minister Clare Haughey said: “We know that the pandemic has brought about new and substantial challenges for everyone in Scotland. As this report indicates, our mental health is no exception to this. “Supporting and promoting good mental health is a priority for the Scottish Government. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have invested £6 million in dedicated funding to support mental health. This research provides timely, Scotland-specific data that will help us to target support where and when it is needed most. “Last week we published our response to the mental health impacts of COVID-19. This plan sets out over 100 actions to support good mental health and wellbeing as we recover from the pandemic and look towards recovery. “In our Transition and Recovery Plan, we have committed to establishing an Equality Forum to help us identify the specific actions that we should take to address mental health inequality. “Our efforts to support people at risk of suicide are particularly important at this time when we know that the economic and social consequences of the pandemic are putting significant additional strain on many people. “That’s why in our Transition and Recovery Plan we have also committed to work with our National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group (NSPLG) to drive forward elements of our Suicide Prevention Action Plan, and take additional pandemic-specific action on suicide prevention. “And last month, backed by our funding, the Group launched a public awareness campaign and new branding for suicide prevention in Scotland. It aims to change the way we talk about suicide and to create a social movement, ‘United to Prevent Suicide’, to help break the stigma around talking about suicide.” |