For immediate release:

FUNDING BOOST WILL SEE ADDITONAL NURSES AND COUNSELLORS IN LOCAL SCHOOLS

Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey has welcomed plans that will help provide an additional 350 school counsellors across Scotland.

Last month, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay MSP announced his draft budget proposals for 2019/20 – outlining a £12 million increase in mental health funding for schools.

If approved by MSPs, the move would take the Scottish Government’s total mental health spend to £1.1 Billion.

By the end of academic year 2019-20, every local authority will also be offered training for teachers in mental health first aid – with an additional 250 school nurses in place by 2022.

Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey, who is also the Scottish Government’s Minister for Mental Health and a mental health nurse of over thirty years, said the proposals could help “transform mental health services in schools”.

Commenting, Ms Haughey said:

“Our mental health is one of the most important issues in Scotland today, and as a country we have made enormous strides in improving support for mental health services in recent years.

“If approved by MSPs, the Scottish Government’s plans will help transform mental health services in schools, benefitting our young people here in Rutherglen and Cambuslang and across the country.

“The Scottish Government are determined to ensure that our children and young people have the support they need at the earliest possible stage. With funding for an additional 350 counsellors and 250 school nurses, we will reach those who are living with mental health challenges.”

ENDS

Notes:

Further information on the mental health budget proposals can be found on the links below:

https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-budget-2019-20/pages/3/ – £12 million increase in mental health funding for schools, figure quoted
https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-budget-2019-20/pages/7/ – 350 counsellors and 250 school nurses, figures quoted

Date published: 23rd January 2019