SAMH What Next Findings

SAMH have kindly sent me their findings from their What Next events and I am not surprised by the areas that need to be greatly improved, and quickly.

Key priority areas from feedback :-

Stigma - You told us that stigma is still a barrier to accessing help and services for mental health.

Availability of service - It seems that where services exist, they are generally good. However, your feedback tells us that there is a lack of consistency between geographical areas making your chances of receiving treatment a ‘postcode lottery.’ There is also the need for many more 24/7 services, and a general promotion of services so people know where to go to get help.

Navigation through services - Another issue that was raised many times was about the lack of communication between different services. You told us that there should be clear pathways for people as they progress through the system. Many of you also raised the issue of the lack of follow up services.

Waiting times - Your feedback told us that waiting times are too long in several areas and have a negative impact on mental health.

Wider treatment options - You told us that you want to be given more options when it comes to treatment. Although some of you felt medication was helpful, there was agreement that there needs to be other forms of therapy on offer too.

Peer support - Many of you raised the issue of introducing more peer support services as this is an area which is lacking in Scotland.

Promotion of greater awareness of rights - You told us that you are not made aware of your rights, and that you didn’t know where you could find out about them. Your feedback told us rights should be more actively promoted within mental health services.

Humane approach and responses - Your feedback told us that mental health service provision must be humane and focus on the person rather than the illness or treatment.

Education - An overwhelming number of you believe there is still a lack of education about mental health and that the introduction of mental health in the national curriculum is essential.

Training - You told us that everyone involved in frontline medical services require more training about mental health.

I hope SAMH take the above findings to the government and changes are made to ensure all the issues above are addressed correctly.