The week starting the 14th of May is Mental Health Awareness Week. Local MSP David Stewart, Labour has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament to mark the importance of the week.

David Stewart, Shadow Health Minister  in the Scottish Parliament, said:

David Stewart MSP

“ This week is an important week for us all to remember that 16 million people in the UK will suffer from a mental health issue which equates to one in four of us.

“We need to be sure that we provide a service and care package that meets the needs of those affected and to do that we have to ensure we maintain qualified staff numbers, provide adequate training, support Carers and individuals and remove any associated stigma with regards mental health.”

The Mental Health Foundation which runs the awareness week will be this year focusing on stress.

“By tackling stress, we can go a long way to tackle mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, and, in some instances, self-harm and suicide. We will look at how we can tackle stress and help improve our mental health.”

Find out more here: Mental Health Awareness Week

David Stewart’s motion is as follows:

That the Parliament acknowledges that 14 to 20 May is Mental Health Awareness Week 2018; notes that, this year, the week will focus on stress; understands that 16 million people in the UK experience a mental health issue each year, around one-in-four of the population; commends all carers and staff on their diligence and care in supporting people with mental health problems, and believes that more should be done by the Scottish Government and the NHS boards to maintain and train qualified staff, support carers, improve service provision and strive to remove associated mental health stigma.