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The Scottish Government has no current plans to introduce any new targets for waiting times for community mental health support over and above those already in place for child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) and psychological therapy.

In February we announced an additional £120 million for a Recovery & Renewal Fund to ensure the delivery of the commitments set out in the Mental Health Transition & Recovery Plan. The Fund will support the development of an integrated culture of mental wellbeing and prevention within local communities and across Scotland, and promote the capacity and role of third sector organisations to deliver this.

We are committed to improving access to community mental health and wellbeing support. This year we have provided local authorities with an additional £15 Million to fund over 200 new and enhanced supports and services for children and young people.

These services are guided by a Framework, developed by the Scottish Government and COSLA chaired Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Programme Board, and now overseen by the Joint Delivery Board.

A key part of the Framework is to ensure access to services is as easy as possible so children, young people and their families get the right support at the right time without delay.

Community supports and services should work closely with CAMHS and relevant health and social care partners, children’s services and educational establishments to ensure that there are clear and streamlined pathways to support. Services should also be accessible via self-referral, and the hours of operation not solely 9-5 or weekdays.

The Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Joint Delivery Board are currently evaluating the impact of these community mental health services.