Some people have difficulty getting the mental health services they need

An Audit Scotland report, Overview of mental health services, says up to 850,000 people experience mental health problems at any one time in Scotland. Mental health problems can affect anyone, but some people are at higher risk, such as those living in deprived areas.

The NHS spends about £930 million a year on mental health services but this is likely to be an underestimate, and it is not known how much councils spend. The wider costs to society of mental health problems, such as people not being able to work, bring the total estimated cost to over £8 billion a year.

Mental health care has changed significantly in the past ten years, with more people receiving treatment in the community and a greater focus on helping people to recover from mental health problems. The report shows that there are long waits to access certain services, particularly services for younger and older people, and there is a lack of out-of-hours and crisis services in some areas.

Deputy Auditor General for Scotland Caroline Gardner said:

“Mental health problems are significant issues for Scotland; about 850,000 people, or one in six of the country’s population, are experiencing these problems at any given time. Therefore it is important that comprehensive services are provided across Scotland that are easy to access and meet people’s needs.

“There have been programmes to reduce the stigma of mental health problems but more needs to be done. There is also a need to ensure that people can access the services they need as quickly as possible and that they can get help out-of-hours or at times of crisis.”

Accounts Commission Chairman John Baillie said:

“In parts of Scotland there are examples of where health boards, councils and other partners are working well together to deliver mental health care. But more can be done at a local level to provide a more joined up service to support people with mental health problems. This is not just about the work of NHS boards and councils. There is an important role for voluntary organisations and other services such as leisure, education, police and prisons to further improve the mental health care people receive. Partners need to work together more effectively to identify gaps in services and share information.”