Today the Royal College of Psychiatrists launches
a Manifesto for the Scottish elections taking place on 5 May
2011. The College calls on Scottish political parties to give a
high priority in the next Parliament to the prevention and
treatment of, and recovery from, mental illness and the promotion
of mental well-being.
The Manifesto covers 6 priority areas:
Children and Early Years; Alcohol; Emergency and Crisis Care;
Dementia; Protection of Frontline Services and Research and
Development.
Over the last 12 years Scotland has made
good progress in tacking mental ill health. Work on tackling
stigma, improving mental health legislation, redesign of services,
suicide prevention and service user engagement has been recognised
internationally. More recently Scotland has worked hard to
tackle Children’s mental health issues, alcohol abuse, dementia,
and improve access to psychological treatments. But despite
all of this there is more work to be done.
Dr Peter Rice, chair of the Royal College
of Psychiatrists in Scotland, said: “We call for effective
implementation of the Dementia strategy, protection of pre-school
care, evaluation of crisis care, and for action to raise the price
of cheap alcohol. In the current economic climate mental health
services must not be neglected or under-funded.
“Mental ill-health affects large numbers of
people and has a major impact on the economic health of our nation
due to effects on employment and impact on carers. Poor mental
health contributes to health inequalities and premature mortality.
Scotland needs to keep investing in providing high quality care and
increase rates of recovery. We look forward to a new Parliament
with mental health and wellbeing at the centre of policies that
will affect Scotland’s overall health.”
For further information, please contact Liz Fox or Deborah
Hart in the Communications Department.
Telephone: 020 7235 2351 Extensions. 6298 or 6127