Health Secretary Jeanne Freeman made the announcement
today (Sunday) following 40 days of lockdown when many people
have felt an effect on their mental health. The allocation of
funding comprises:
• £768,000 for a relationships helpline to be delivered by The
Spark counselling service
• £105,000 to support Young Scot to develop enhanced digital
content and resources on mental health
• £205,000 to support 47,000 autistic people across Scotland,
including funding to increase capacity at the Scottish Autism
Helpline and help for the National Autistic Society to keep
people in touch online during lockdown
Ms Freeman said:
“While everyone is experiencing different challenges at this
time, the mental health of children, young people and families
can be put under great strain.
“We appreciate that spending a lot of time together in
isolation and home-working, home-schooling and juggling
childcare can be really tough.
“This crisis means many people are dealing with anxiety, fear,
uncertainty, anger or sadness. They may feel overwhelmed and
relationships can be placed under a lot of pressure.
“We want to ensure that the right help and support is in place
for the mental wellbeing of our children, young people and
families. This package of measures focuses on prevention and
recovery, and on maintaining healthy relationships throughout
the current restrictions. It follows the launch of our national
campaign, Clear Your Head, last week.”
Background
The Clear Your Head campaign highlights practical ways to look
after mental health and wellbeing while continuing to stay at
home – and signposts sources of help and advice.
The Spark is a third sector organisation which delivers
counselling services to families across Scotland, including
relationship and couples counselling and counselling for
children and young people. They currently operate a
Relationship Helpline on a small scale for nine hours a week.
The number of the Relationship Helpline is 0808 802 2088 and
this additional funding will enable the helpline to operate
Monday-Thursday 9am to 9pm and Friday 9am to 4pm.
Scotland has launched a digital resource called Mind Yer Time
specifically to help children and young people learn about the
healthy use of screens and social media. It supports mental and
physical health online and was developed by the Scottish Youth
Parliament and Children’s Parliament. In the first ten days
since its launch the guide had almost 13,000 views.
The additional funding will allow the Scottish Autism
Helpline to open 8am-8pm, seven days a week on 01259
222022.
Further details of the additional funding for autism
support.
