(UK) Scotland to spend $323M (US dollars) on student mental health

Sept 5, 2018, Scotland Herald: Programme for Government: Action on mental health crisis in schools and universities http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/16688095.programme-for-government-action-on-mental-health-crisis-in-schools-and-universities/ A PACKAGE of new measures aimed at improving mental health amongst pupils and students is at the core of the Scottish Government’s latest programme for government. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the measures, including making sure every secondary school has a counselling service, will be backed by £250 million [$323M US dollars] over the next four years. As part of this, £30m will be invested in school nurses and counselling, while plans will be developed to ensure young people with the most serious mental illnesses get fast-tracked care. … To ensure children have the support they need the Government has pledged to invest over £60m to provide for around 350 school counsellors. In addition, an extra 250 school nurses will be in place by 2022 and teachers will be given training to deal with mental health issues. Mental health problems have also been a growing concern in universities and colleges and Ms Sturgeon said 80 extra counsellors would be recruited over the next four years with an investment of £20m. The details came as official figures revealed child and adolescent mental health waiting times reached their worst ever levels. Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, asked: “Why has it taken until the day we see the worst ever waits on record for children to receive treatment before the government acts?”…