Key resources relating to policy and public affairs in Scotland

Staff and Members at RCPsychiS have developed a proposal for a 4-tiered, multi-sector approach to providing appropriate pathways and support for ADHD and autism in Scotland. 

In recent years, there has been an unprecedented rise in referrals for neurodevelopmental condition (NDC) assessment and support in Scotland. Referrals for ADHD assessment alone increased by 500%-800% across health boards between 2019 and 2021. This is driven by several factors: increased societal awareness and understanding, unmet historical needs, population growth and social change, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, there is currently no dedicated, national standard NDC referral, treatment or support pathway in Scotland. This is leading to critical issues within the mental health sector. Without a nationally agreed pathway in place for NDCs, the rapidly rising scale of need has had a critical impact on service capacity within secondary care mental health services. This has led to unprecedented pressures in the mental health sector and lengthy waits for assessment and treatment across all health board areas in Scotland - which is posing an existential threat to the mental health system.

The growing demand for NDC services, coupled with insufficient capacity and resources, poses a systemic risk to the sustainability of Scotland's mental health services. Without urgent action to address this, the system risks destabilisation, harming both patients and clinicians.

We envisage a role for national leadership and focus on the delivery of 4 tiers of action, as outlined in our proposal.

Read our proposal here: RCPsychiS - NDC Pathways proposal final - January 2025

The RCPsychiS MSP Guide to Mental Health and Mental Illness is a practical resource designed to help Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) and their staff in supporting constituents affected by mental health issues and mental illness.

This guide provides evidence-based information on recognising and supporting constituents with mental health concerns, provides an overview of mental health conditions and mental illnesses, provides information on how to help constituents affected by mental illness and how to help someone in distress, offers information on signposting individuals to appropriate support services, and gives context to the broader impact of mental illness.

It aims to equip MSPs and their teams with the knowledge and tools needed to offer informed, compassionate assistance to those in need within their communities.