The Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland has welcomed the recommendations of the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Taskforce, which were published by the Scottish Government on Thursday.

Commissioner Bruce Adamson said:

“Under the strong leadership of Dr Dame Denise Coia, the Taskforce has issued a set of comprehensive recommendations for the Scottish Government and COSLA to bring about the necessary changes to ensure that children and young people receive the right help at the right time, wherever they are. The voices and experiences of children and young people clearly lie at the heart of these recommendations and I look forward to them remaining so in the ongoing work of the Taskforce. It is crucial now to ensure that those recommendations are actioned.”

“The mental health and wellbeing of children and young people in Scotland is an important children’s rights issue, with children living in vulnerable situations being at greater risk of not receiving the help and support they need. The creation of the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Taskforce in 2018 was an important step in recognising that significant change needs to take place in Scotland if we want to improve their mental health and services. Human rights are about real change in the support and services children and young people receive, rather than mere rhetoric.”