Change Mental Health is deeply concerned that the budget announcement of an £18.8m cut to the mental health budget will disproportionately affect mental health support in Scotland, which accounts for over 16% of the overall health budget cut. 

Following the announcement of the Programme for Government 2024 to 2025, which outlines a vision of ensuring that the people of Scotland have every opportunity to live well, thrive, and see promise in their future, it is deeply concerning to witness a simultaneous reduction in funding for mental health services across Scotland. This includes cuts to services designed to support those most in need during moments of acute distress. 

Jim Hume, Public Affairs and Communication Director at Change Mental Health said:  

“The cut to the mental health budget is disproportionate to the whole health budget and widens the gap between what the Scottish Government promised and what is being achieved. 

” Scottish Government promised that in this Parliament 10% of the health budget would be spent on mental health, the current spend is 8.8% and now the Government state that of their £115.8 million cut from the health budget, 16.2% of that shall be taken off the mental health budget, further widening the gap between spend on mental health and physical health. 

“The Programme for Government launched today mentions mental health funds for the NHS but fails to recognise that people need support pre-crisis in their community. 

“The Government needs to prioritise mental health and meet their commitment to 10% of the health budget supporting those with poor mental health, which will in turn help Scotland tackle poverty.” 

These cuts threaten to impact vital programmes, including the Distress Brief Interventions programme and student mental health measures. Reducing support to these areas risks undermining early intervention efforts and the ongoing work to promote mental health and wellbeing across Scotland.   

It is essential that the Government honours its commitment to make mental health a priority. Reducing resources to this critical area runs counter to the Government’s pledge and the pressing need to ensure comprehensive, accessible mental health support for everyone who needs it. 

Change Mental Health will continue to advocate for equal access to mental health services and will not cease campaigning until mental health is afforded the priority it deserves from those in power.