Our Four Nations Lead Steve Mulligan says £4 million of new investment in psychological therapy services in Scotland will create opportunities for counsellors and psychotherapists.

Steve welcomed the new Scottish Government funding – which is on top of £5m allocated in May – that aims to reduce waiting times for adult psychological therapies.

The funding, which forms part of Scotland’s £120 million Recovery and Renewal Fund, will allow health boards to recruit additional mental health professionals, including counsellors and psychotherapists.

It will also allow practitioners, where appropriate, to use digital services to reach people in more remote locations, or those not able to attend in person.

Opportunities

Steve Mulligan, our Four Nation Lead, said: “We’re pleased to see this investment in adult psychological therapies in Scotland which will open up opportunities for counsellors and psychotherapists, and help to alleviate the growing demand on services that we’ve seen over the course of the pandemic.

“When we met the Mental Wellbeing Minister in August we emphasised the important role that counsellors and psychotherapists are playing in supporting the mental health of the nation and the need for increased investment in the counselling workforce to ensure more people can get the support they need, when they need it.

“So it’s great to see this additional investment to ensure that more people in Scotland have improved access to life-changing counselling and psychotherapy services.”

Mental Wellbeing Minister Kevin Stewart, who announced the funding during a visit to meet psychological therapies staff in North Lanarkshire, said: “Across Scotland, talented and dedicated staff trained in psychological therapies provide high-quality care and are helping more people than ever, despite the substantial increase in demand placed on the service by the pandemic.

Support

“I want to further support the service so we can increase the speed at which people receive their care.

“Long waits are unacceptable and we’re committed to meeting the standard that 90% of patients start treatment within 18 weeks of referral.

“That’s why we’re investing an additional £4 million in mental health professionals trained in applied psychological therapies who will be instrumental in reducing pressure on the system.”