Anas Sarwar has launched a scathing attack on the SNP, accusing John Swinney and his party of being “in denial” over what he describes as Scotland’s “growing mental health crisis.” Speaking on Sunday, the Scottish Labour leader highlighted that children and young people are “falling through the cracks” in mental health support, despite a significant increase in demand.
Rising Demand and Missed Opportunities
Using data obtained through a freedom of information (FOI) request, Scottish Labour revealed that more than 700,000 calls were made to NHS24’s mental health hub between 2021 and 2025. Sarwar argued that this surge in demand underscores the need for urgent action, which his party claims it will deliver if elected.
Labour’s proposals include creating an emergency mental health response service to provide specialist care, thereby freeing up Police Scotland to focus on crime rather than mental health crises. Additionally, the party plans to increase NHS funding for mental health services, boost the number of mental health professionals, and overhaul the system for children and young people referred to the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
Sarwar’s Statement
“There is a growing mental health crisis taking hold in Scotland but John Swinney and the SNP are in denial,” Sarwar said. “Demand for mental health support is on the rise, but there still isn’t a specialist emergency response service for people suffering a crisis. After 20 years of SNP government, mental health services are struggling to cope, kids are falling through the cracks at CAMHS and police are still responding to mental health emergencies. A Scottish Labour government will end the SNP’s neglect of mental health services and make sure struggling Scots get the help they need.”
He added: “We will establish a new emergency service for mental health, improve services across the board and make sure kids don’t fall through the cracks at CAMHS. Next week is our chance to turn the page on SNP failure, vote for better mental health services and deliver a better future for Scotland – but only Scottish Labour can do that.”
SNP Response
Clare Haughey, SNP candidate for Rutherglen and Cambuslang and an NHS mental health nurse, defended the party’s record. “Under the SNP, our NHS has a record number of staff employed to provide mental health support and our mental health budget for the year exceeds £1.5 billion,” she said. “Anas Sarwar and his Labour MSPs failed to back this in Parliament when they had the chance – and they now want to slash £1 billion from Scotland’s NHS which would cut support for people who need it.”
Haughey outlined the SNP’s plans: “In contrast, a re-elected SNP government will expand Scotland’s NHS 24 Mental Health Hub to include psychological therapies, and we will also invest an additional £3.5 million this year to make it easier for people to get the help they need. This is the sort of serious action you get from the SNP under John Swinney’s reliable leadership.”
