Thousands of children rejected for mental health support in 10 years – Labour

The SNP has been accused of “betraying a generation of Scots” after Scottish Labour warned more than 80,000 children have been turned away for mental health support over the last decade.

Between 2016 and 2025, 83,420 referrals to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) were rejected, according to the party’s analysis of Public Health Scotland data.

Labour said that on average, nearly 23 young people per day were turned away from CAMHS.

The party said that despite promising action on CAMHS referrals nearly a decade ago, the SNP has let the issue reach “crisis point”.

Labour leader Anas Sarwar accused the SNP Government of “turning its back on vulnerable young people” in response to the figures.

He has pledged to deliver new routes to support for neurodivergent people, an immediate support system for those referred to CAMHS, and a dedicated community link worker service in all CAMHS teams “to create wraparound support for young people on lists”.

Mr Sarwar said: “John Swinney and the SNP should be ashamed of their failure to provide mental health support for struggling children and young people.

“More than 80,000 kids have been turned away in their hour of need in the last 10 years on the SNP’s watch, while others have faced painfully long waits.

“From the chaos in our schools to the pressure on CAMHS, the SNP is betraying a generation of Scots and letting vulnerable people fall through the cracks.

“This is not as good as it gets – a Scottish Labour government will fix the SNP’s mess and deliver the mental health support kids need.

“We will expand mental health support in primary care and schools, make sure kids are getting help as soon as they are referred to CAMHS, and ensure autistic and ADHD children can get specialist support.

“On May 7, vote Scottish Labour to end SNP failure and deliver a better future for young people across Scotland.”

The SNP has been approached for comment.