Stand up for Scotland’s mental health in local communities

For far too long, people with mental health problems have been struggling to cope without the right support. The pandemic only made the situation worse.

As we approach the Scottish local authority elections in May, SAMH is calling for candidates to stand up for Scotland’s mental health by creating a mental health strategy that will:

• Ensure everyone has access to person-centred support in their community
• Expand non-clinical support available for children and young people
• Prioritise suicide prevention and improve support for people in distress or crisis
• Ensure the rights of people receiving compulsory treatment for their mental health
• Improve access to physical activity for people with mental health problems
• Increase mental health training opportunities available locally

Why are local elections important for Scotland’s mental health?

While the Scottish Government can guide policy and allocate funding, it’s the local authorities who have the power to improve mental health support in their own communities.

That’s why we’re calling on every local election candidate to pledge that, if elected, they will stand up for Scotland’s mental health by ensuring their local authority has a clear, well-evidenced mental health strategy in place that puts people with lived experience at its centre and delivers the vital changes outlined below.

Download now - How local councillors can improve the mental health of their communities

Take a look at our short manifesto, outlining how local councillors can help the mental health and wellbeing of people in their community.