Youth mental health target reached despite waiting times increase

The Scottish Government’s waiting times target for young people’s mental health treatment has been hit, but 4,000 are still waiting, new figures show.

Statistics for child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) were released by Public Health Scotland on Tuesday, showing 90% of people started treatment within 18 weeks of referral in the three months to December, exactly meeting the Government’s goal.

The figure is down from 91.5% in the previous quarter and 90.6% in the same period in 2024.

Opposition parties pointed to a high number of rejected referrals, accusing the Government of “spinning” the figures.

At the end of the quarter, the figures show, 4,056 young people were still waiting for treatment, though more than 80% of those had been on the list for less than the 18 week target time.

According to the statistics, 9.5% of those waiting – around 385 young people – were waiting between 19 and 35 weeks, while almost 200 were waiting between six months and one year.

The figures showed that 2.4% – around 97 young people – had been waiting more than a year for treatment.

Mental wellbeing minister Tom Arthur welcomed the figures, saying: “Meeting our Programme for Government commitment on the CAMHS waiting times standard by the December 2025 target is a real and meaningful achievement.

“It has been made possible by the hard work and dedication of NHS staff across Scotland who support children, young people and their families through some of the most difficult times of their lives.

“The progress is sustained and it is clear — waiting lists are at historic lows with over 52 week waits dropping by over 30% in the last year and half of all young people referred are being seen within five weeks.

“I am encouraged by the real progress that has been made in recent months to clear backlogs and we will continue to work closely with those NHS boards where some challenges remain over the next few months as they complete this work.

“Despite progress, there is more to do, and we remain committed to supporting all NHS Boards to sustain and build on this momentum.”

Laura Sutherland, the vice-chairwoman of the CAMHS faculty at the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland, said it was “disappointing” that waiting times increased over the period.

She added: “Currently, we face a psychiatric workforce crisis with staffing levels not keeping pace with a well-documented and severe demand.

“As a result, clinicians feel overwhelmed, workforce is burning out and staffing is becoming increasingly perilous.

“Meanwhile, clinicians are forced to compromise on care, while vulnerable children and young people are being left waiting and struggling – often without vital support.

“To date and despite efforts from the Scottish Government, health boards are still not managing to meet the 1% target of mental health spend going to CAMHS.

“Without quick and meaningful interventions, the gap between need and capacity will continue to grow and it’s children and families who will pay the price.

“We’re calling for urgent action to expand and properly resource the mental health workforce, so children and young people can access the timely, safe and effective support they so desperately need.”

Scottish Tory health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said it was “tragic” 4,000 young people were still waiting for treatment and claimed more young people are being “turned away”.

In the most recent quarter, 8,841 referrals were made, but 3,281 of those referrals were not accepted – equating to 37.1%.

“We know that lengthy delays can have tragic consequences,” Dr Gulhane said.

“But the SNP are only hitting their target because more and more children are being turned away.

“Scotland has a mental health crisis and it’s unacceptable that vulnerable young people are being denied support unless they are deemed at risk of suicide or self-harming.

“Instead of spinning the stats, SNP ministers need to tackle the CAMHS emergency.”

Scottish Labour mental health spokesman Paul Sweeney also hit out at the level of referrals rejected.

“It is disgraceful that nearly four in 10 kids are being turned away from CAMHS in their hour of need,” he said.

“The SNP is more interested in fudging the numbers to make themselves look good than delivering a service that works for young people.”