Budget funding for mental health services ‘deeply disappointing’, sector warns

The Scottish Budget is “deeply disappointing” on mental health, a coalition of 17 organisations in the sector has said.

The Budget published on Wednesday allocates £270.5 million to mental health, amidst record spending of £21 billion in the health and social care portfolio.

Scotland’s Mental Health Partnership said it represents a reduction from a previous funding commitment of £290 million.

However, the Scottish Government disputes this, saying some mental health money was redistributed into other portfolios – such as £15 million for children’s community wellbeing services among local government spending.

The Budget outturn for mental health services for the 2023/24 year is £251.8 million.

Members of the partnership include Change Mental Health, SAMH and the British Psychological Society.

Gordon Johnston, policy lead for Scotland’s Mental Health Partnership, said: “We’re deeply disappointed that the Scottish Government has not prioritised mental health in this year’s Budget, despite allocating record funding to health and social care.

“The £270.5 million allocated to mental health represents a reduction from the £290.2 million baseline commitment of the past four years, which is a really concerning shortfall – particularly when adjusted for inflation and real-terms cuts.

“This decision comes amidst a national mental health crisis, with unprecedented demand for services across Scotland. The Scottish Government’s choice to reduce funding at such a critical time sends a worrying message which undermines their original commitment.

“Whilst we do welcome more money allocated to NHS territorial boards, there is still no mechanism in place to ensure that the committed 10% of this funding is allocated by boards to be spent on mental health.

“We urge the Scottish Government to reconsider this decision and restore adequate funding.

“The wellbeing of our communities depends on sustained, robust investment, especially during a time of unprecedented demand.”

Mental wellbeing minister Maree Todd said: “It is simply not accurate to say there has been a reduction to the mental health budget.

“Our draft budget increases the direct programme budget for mental health by £3.3 million, (1.2%) to £270.5 million.

“Mental health is an absolute priority for the Scottish Government. That is why, over the last five years, the direct programme budget for mental health has more than doubled.

“Even in the context of the past few difficult financial years, we have continued to invest wisely – for example, the latest Camhs waiting times figures show the best national performance ever recorded.

“But there is still work to do, and our decision to increase the mental health budget will now allow us to build on our achievements.”