Decision Time
The result of the division on motion S5M-24138, in the name of Alex Cole-Hamilton, on mental health, as amended, is: For 65, Against 58, Abstentions 0.
Motion, as amended, agreed to,
That the Parliament recalls its resolution on the debate on motion S5M-20035 on mental health on 27 November 2019; now recognises that there is a mental health crisis in Scotland; notes with concern the potential for an unsustainable increase in demand for CAMHS and other mental health services, many of which already experience unacceptably long waiting times; recognises the need for both improved access to NHS mental health services and greater support for third sector organisations to reduce waiting times and deliver urgently needed care; considers that maintaining good mental health is as important as maintaining good physical health; believes that further efforts are required to promote self-care for mental health; notes with deep concern the further increase in the number of deaths by suicide in 2019 and the reported increase in suicidal thoughts throughout the COVID-19 pandemic; considers the continued excessive waits for access to CAMHS and high proportion of young people who still have their referral rejected to be unacceptable; is disappointed at the failure to implement an effective transitions strategy to support patients moving between services; acknowledges that mental health services cannot tackle the crisis without increased resources, and therefore believes it is regrettable that, in recent Scottish Budgets, funding for mental health services has failed to keep up with rises in overall health funding.