SAMH comment on latest CAMHS figures

3rd December 2019

Statistics published today (3 December 2019) show that 1,619 children and young people were rejected from Child and Adolescents Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in the last quarter.  Additionally, only 64.5% children and young people were seen by CAMHS within the 18-week target, down from 69.7% in the previous quarter.

The figures can be found here: https://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Mental-Health/Publications/2019-12-03/2019-12-03-CAMHS-WaitingTimes-Report.pdf

In response, Billy Watson, Chief Executive at SAMH, said,

“It’s unacceptable that so many young people in Scotland are still not getting access to the mental health support they need. Young people are being rejected from mental health services across Scotland and families are being left unsupported.

“Eighteen months ago, Scottish Government accepted all the recommendations in a major report on rejected referrals. Since then, over 9,000 young people have been told they won’t receive help. While we recognise that the Scottish Government is taking steps to develop services in this area, more needs to be done. Today we’re repeating our calls on the Scottish Government to urgently deliver on all their commitments so that this group of vulnerable young people get help as a priority.”