Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 17 February 2021
I will not right now, thank you.
The Liberal Democrats have brought the motion to the chamber because, quite simply, there is a mental health crisis in Scotland. I believe that that has been clear for some time, but the coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc and devastation not only on physical health, but on emotional health. Societal bereavement, cabin fever and anxiety around personal prosperity have all taken their toll, but isolation is one of the worst contributing factors to poor mental health, and our communities have had that in spades. The 19th century French novelist Honoré de Balzac said:
“Solitude is fine but you need somebody to tell you that solitude is fine.”
Fifteen months ago, when the Liberal Democrats led a debate on the mental health crisis, the statistics were shocking, and the stories stark. I am sure that I was not alone in being profoundly moved by the personal testimonies of members and the situations that their constituents faced. However, I am also deeply concerned because 15 months ago the Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing told the Parliament:
“Mental health is a priority for the Government. It is not a short-term priority and it is not a here today, gone tomorrow political issue.” —[Official Report, 27 November 2019; c 21.]