A Highlands and Islands MSP has described as “extremely alarming” the findings of a new report that shows a third of young men in Scotland have contemplated suicide.
Scottish Conservative MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston raised the issue with Nicola Sturgeon at today’s Covid Questions at Holyrood, asking whether any additional support was being provided to mental health services.
Speaking later, Mr Halcro Johnston said: “We are all aware of the impact of the pandemic on mental health, with people of all ages left isolated from friends and family, as well as from their support groups. Too many young men in the Highlands and Islands are already being lost to suicide, and so this latest rise in the number of young men reported to be having suicidal thoughts is extremely alarming."
“It is vitally important that we do everything we can to help those who are finding life close to unbearable, but mental health services are already under so much pressure."
“I very much hope that, having raised this issue with Nicola Sturgeon, she will do all she can to ensure the funding for this vital support is in place and that it is adequate to meet the increased demand on local mental health services”.
Jamie Halcro Johnston’s question can be viewed at approx 15:17:45 on the Scottish Parliament TV channel: https://www.scottishparliament.tv/
Information on rise in suicidal thoughts here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/alarm-over-rise-in-suicidal-thoughts-in-young-men-t9fp2nnlf
