Stevenson Speaks on Mental Health at SAMH Event

Banff and Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson, along with South of Scotland MSP Adam Ingram were the speakers at an event organised by the Scottish Association of Mental Health (SAMH), which focussed on the issue of mental health, highlighting the Mental Health Act which is due for implementation in April 2005.

Speaking at the event, Mr Stevenson said:

“With the recent results of a survey finding that one in four of us will be affected by mental health and the staggering statistic that Scotland has the most highest rising rate of suicide in young men within Europe, it is vital that the Mental Health Act, when implemented, does in actual fact address these very worrying facts.

“The Scottish Executive seem to believe that by simply introducing legislation they are solving all problems when this is not the case – the job is far from done once the legislation is introduced. What I find slightly worrying is the lack of trained individuals working in the field of mental health services. Today, we are seriously lacking people going in to the profession such as pyschiatric nursing and this trend needs to be addressed now. All steps must be taken to encourage people to train in the mental health service sector and to seek employment in our country once qualified. This must initially be done at school level by showing that this area of employment can be very rewarding emotionally and the importance attached to it.

“The bottom line is that there is not enough long-term thinking regarding this issue. Problems will not be solved in passing an act and trying to implement it as quickly as possible. The user of mental health services needs to be heard and their views taken into consideration and acted upon. It is vital that people who suffer in this regard are provided with on-going support.”