Ms Watt says the Scottish government recognises the need to overcome some of the barriers pupils face in school.

Image source, Newscast

The mental health minister says she is dealing with the waiting times for CAMHS.

Labour MSP Monica Lennon asks if councillors in schools might be a better approach.

Ms Watt: "Absolutely and that is already happening in many schools."

Mental Health Minister Maureen Watt says there is a mental health strategy and it is now being updated.

The mental health minister, a new role in the government, says her appointment shows the government is taking mental health seriously.

More children and young people in Scotland are being seen by mental health professionals.

New statistics show the number using services has risen by nearly a third in the last two years.

There were 4,642 children and young people seen in the quarter ending June 2016, compared to 3,560 in the same period in 2014. That was a rise of 30%.

Image source, Science Photo Library

A team led by Health Improvement Scotland is working in some of the board areas with the longest waits.

For adult psychological therapies, there were 12,779 people seen in the quarter, with 81.2% seen within 18 weeks.

Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur thanks the Scottish Youth Parliament for their work in the area of mental health education.

Mr McArthur singles out the two Orkney's two MSYPs for promoting Speak Your Mind and focusing on specific island issues.

He says mental health is not taking seriously enough and this shames us all.

The Orkney MSP says mental health must have parity in law.

He say SYP's recommendations on mental health are a good way forward and he praises them for shedding a light on this vital issue.

Scottish Conservative MSP Miles Briggs says it is important to consider the classroom experience of young people. 

Mr Briggs says "half of those with mental health problems first experience symptoms at the age of 14."

The Tory MSP says it is very concerning that half of the people who took part in the Scottish Youth Parliament's mental health survey didn't know what support is available.

He says social media has an important role to play and Facebook and Twitter should help as part of their social responsibility agenda. 

Image source, Scottish Parliament

The SYP has responded to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the proposed new Mental Health strategy. 

They applauded some of the principles of the strategy, such as its focus on prevention and early intervention for infants, children, and young people, but remain concerned at the lack of mention of schools in its actions and results. 

The SYP believes there should be more emphasis in the strategy on the role of schools in prevention and early intervention efforts. 

Labour MSP Monica Lennon says in Central Scotland there are dozens and dozens of young people unable to access the mental health services they need.

Ms Lennon says: "It is simply unacceptable that thousands of children are languishing on CAMHS waiting lists."

SNP MSP Graeme Dey says there are a number of factors that can affect a child's mental health.

Mr Dey highlights bullying and says it is right for his colleague Jenny Gilruth to highlight LGBT bullying but reminds the chamber that all forms of bulling, whether about a child's sexuality or not, are important.

The SNP MSP says bereavement is another issue that affects a child's mental health.

He says at a primary school in his constituency there is a hearing support base for deaf pupils where they can meet teachers and other pupils to discuss ideas. 

This helps with their self esteem, he says.

Some people wait a long time for specialist care

• Last year, new targets came into force to reduce long waits to see a specialist, however the NHS has not been able to meet them.
• 81% of people saw a psychologist within 18 weeks, against a target of 90%. This figure has not changed much since recording began.
• 73% of children saw a specialist within 18 weeks, against a target of 90%. Children are waiting slightly longer than they did in 2014 and 2015.
• However, the NHS only began recording information about mental health waiting times in 2012. Before then we don't know how long people were waiting.

Image source, Scottish Youth Parliament

The Scottish Youth Parliament’s (SYP) has released one of the largest research reports specifically looking at young people’s mental health in Scotland, titled Our generation’s epidemic, external. 

The research comprises of 1,483 responses from young people aged 12 to 25, and captures their experience and awareness of mental health services and information. 

The report has found that 74% of young people surveyed did not know what mental health information, support, and services were available in their local areas. 

Our generation’s epidemic was completed as part of SYP’s national campaign Speak Your Mind. 

Speak Your Mind is focused on raising awareness of mental health, empowering young people to talk positively about mental health, and calling for accessible, high quality mental health services and information for all of Scotland’s young people. Chair

Conservative MSP Donald Cameron says mental health education has often been overlooked in the past and is now being addressed.

Mr Cameron refers to the SYP report on mental health Our Generation's Epidemic, external.

He says he met with an MSYP and was impressed by her passion on this issue. 

• To increase young people’s awareness and understanding of the issues associated with mental health
• To encourage the use of a common language in order to promote positive conversations and tackle stigma associated with young people’s mental health
• To identify young people’s awareness and understanding of mental health information and services for young people across Scotland
• To advocate for high quality mental health information and service provision for all of Scotland’s young people, with supporting guidance on best practice for service providers.

Ms Gilruth says waiting for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) is unacceptable and for young people it can be devastating.

Women aged 16-24 have , according to annual health figures.

The Scottish Health Survey, external found levels of mental wellbeing for all other age groups were similar, with little difference between men and women.

Image source, Newscast Online

Women in the 16-24 age group also reported higher levels of self-harm - 23% compared to 18% of men.

Five thousands adults and 1,421 children were surveyed for the report.

The annual figures examined health, alcohol and tobacco intake, diet and physical activity. Those surveyed were also asked about cardiovascular conditions and diabetes, as well as injuries and accidents.

Image source, Scottish Youth Parliament

SYP, external recommendations for improving mental health information, support, and services for Scotland’s young people, including: 

• Education Scotland should develop a Mental Health Standard for schools to increase the focus on mental health in the Curriculum for Excellence 
• Education Scotland and further and higher education bodies should ensure that all schools, colleges, and universities provide high quality information about mental health, and direct young people to safe online resources such as Aye Mind, external
• Pupils and students should be consulted about the type of information they would like to receive, and be involved in the design of information when appropriate

Ms Gilruth says causal misogeny in schools is too common place in schools.

The SNP MSP says the pay gap remains a problem.

She says 90% of LGBT pupils say they have experienced bullying.

Ms Gilruth calls on the Scottish government to act on LGBT bullying. 

Image source, Scottish Youth Parilament

The Scottish Youth Parliament , externalis the democratically elected voice of Scotland's young people.  

• Elections are held every two years, in which young people from all across Scotland stand as candidates to become Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPs).
• MSYPs range in age from 14 to 25 and represent constituencies in all 32 local authorities throughout the country, and several national voluntary organisations.
• SYP was established on 30 June 1999, making us one day older than the Scottish Parliament.

SNP MSP Jenny Gilruth says she was contacted by a school pupil, Rachel, who wanted to know why there were not lessons on mental health and on LGBT issues.

Ms Gilruth says "it is imperative schools get to grip with mental health education".