31st October 2024

Responding to the Mental Welfare Commission's Mental Health Act Monitoring Report for 2023-24, Alex Cumming, Executive Director of Operations at SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health), said:

"This is an important report from the Mental Welfare Commission, which helps shine a light on the experiences of a group of people who too often slip under the radar. Unfortunately, the detention of people with mental health problems against their will is sometimes necessary, but it can only be used as a last resort when all other less restrictive options have been found wanting. For detention to be a legitimate action, we have to have confidence that safeguards are in place and followed. That is what the law requires and it is what our social contract requires. 

"The reality for thousands of people in Scotland, particularly younger people and people from deprived backgrounds, is that we cannot have that confidence. That is unacceptable. The Scottish Government must ensure that December's budget provides the resources needed to respect people's rights and prevent people from being detained inappropriately."