SAMH comment on new psychological therapy statistics

3rd March 2020

Carolyn Lochhead, Head of Public Affairs and Communications at SAMH said:

“Today (3 March 2020) The Scottish Government published new statistics, which show that only one local health board is meeting the 18 week waiting times target for people to get their first appointment with an NHS psychologist.

“The new statistics come as we publish our own report, ‘Decisions were made about me not with me’, which found that people with depression are struggling to access psychological therapies and do not feel as involved about decisions as they would like.

“So today we are calling on the Scottish Government to review the psychological therapies waiting time target, as well as psychological therapy provision across Scotland. The last thing someone needs when they are asking for help with their mental health, is to be told that the help they need isn’t an option.”

 

You can access the new statistics at: https://beta.isdscotland.org/find-publications-and-data/conditions-and-diseases/mental-health/psychological-therapies-waiting-times/