Change Mental Health has launched a bold new manifesto ahead of the 2026 Scottish elections in May: Put Kids First.

With calls to ban social media for under 16’s and mobile phones during the day in schools, ‘Put Kids First!’ stands up for Scotland’s next generation. The manifesto puts the record straight: there needs to be targeted action to tackle the mental health crisis engulfing Scotland’s young people.

‘Put Kids First!’ demands that Scotland’s politicians take the necessary steps to protect children and young people’s mental health, with a large emphasis on focusing on early intervention and prevention at its most fundamental level.

Visit our Manifesto page

1. Protect childhood: Ban social media for under 16’s
2. Stop the distractions: Ban mobile phones during the school day
3. Give schools the tools: Mandatory mental health training for all school staff
4. Enhance support for all: Ringfence funding for preventative community mental health services
5. Build hope: A job, training or educational place for every young person through a Young Person’s Guarantee programme

Nick Ward, CEO at Change Mental Health, said:

“A new Parliament brings new opportunities to face Scotland’s challenges head on – and Change Mental Health is up for the fight.

“The warning signs are clear and the costs of inaction are too high. The time to act is now. Our children’s mental health must not suffer because of political cowardice. We can Put Kids First by protecting childhood, stopping distractions, giving schools the tools, enhancing support for all and building hope.

“We demand that Scotland’s politicians sign our pledges to Put Kids First, to protect the mental health of our young people – now and in the future.”

There is a growing mental health crisis for young people – not just in Scotland but across the world – that risks a lost generation, consigned to poor mental health, high unemployment and economic inactivity.

In response to the increasing pressures of a digitally saturated world, schools are also reporting rising distress. A recent Scottish report stated that more than a quarter of 17-year-olds are experiencing moderate to severe depression. Following the Scottish Government’s annual pupil census, Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC) noted the record number of pupils with mental health problems. Absence linked to anxiety is growing, more young people are disengaging from education and facing difficulty in transitioning to employment, and more are relying on disability support because their mental health has deteriorated. This Manifesto backs SCSC’s calls for greater mental health support in schools.

With systems intervening too late, ‘Put Kids First!’ makes it clear that safeguarding our young people is a long-term national investment. Protecting childhood, strengthening educational environments and investing in early community support can start now to build resilience in the future and into adulthood.

Our manifesto launched at Riddles Court, Edinburgh, on Tuesday 24th March with key partners and politicians attending to learn more about our key pledges and highlight their support for what we’re calling for.