We begin with topical questions, MSPs will raise issues including the future of dozens of police stations across Scotland and the "justifiable assault" of children by parents. 

MSPs will then be updated on the government's consultation on fracking.

Image source, Getty Images / BBC

The government will then lead a debate on the EU workforce and their contribution to health and social care. 

This evening's member's debate will be led by SNP MSP Graeme Dey and is entitled "Species Champions Initiative Re-launch."

Rachel Stewart from Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) says children and young people need to be supported from an early age to understand how to look after their mental health.

Ms Stewart says we must look at how to help children at an earlier stage.

Sophie Pilgrim from the Scottish Children's Services Coalition says children are losing out.

Ms Pilgrim says :"Surely we should be investing in children and young people."

Ms Stewart says it is hard to know how much funding CAMHS needs until we see the demand for CAMHS.

She says £54m has been earmarked for CAMHS over the coming years but calls for a wider review.

Committee convener Neil Findlay raises the issue of health inequalities.

Mr Findlay says the level of identification of dyslexia is higher in affluent areas than in the poorer areas.

He asks if the witnesses are finding similar things with mental health issues.

Sophie Pilgrim from the Scottish Children's Services Coalition says no and her organisation is more likely to support families in the highest areas of deprivation.

Michael Gowan says if your mental illness is not diagnosed until your are 16 or 17, you many end up on another adult waiting list.

The MSYP says this can have an impact on their mental health and leave them feeling abandoned.

SNP MSP Maree Todd asks about the age of eligibility for access to CAMHS.

Ms Todd says when she worked in psychiatry she saw that some people in their early twenties should not be treated in an adult setting.

Michael Gowan says: "Young people have said very clearly they need their own service, not to go up to an adult service."

The MSYP says there must be a bespoke service for young people

Ms Stewart says SAMH have called for a review of the age when people can access CAMHS.

She says the brain keeps developing until 25 years old.

Michael Gowan Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament says medical practitioners have told him that young people are often handed pamphlets during their first visit and then sent on their way.

Mr Gowan says this is a way around the waiting times target. 

Image source, SPL

Rachel Stewart from SAMH says young people are not happy with CAMHS services because GPs tell them they need extra support and professional services are telling them they don't.

"They are left with nowhere to go, in no-man's land," she says. 

Rachel Stewart from Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) says we must teach young people to cope and become more resilient.

It must be about coping with everything, not just exams pressure says Ms Stewart.

• 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.

Michael Gowan Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP) says some young girls feel they are not taken seriously when they raise mental health issues.

He says when a girl raises an issue she can be asked if she has her period and needs a tampon, rather than about the mental health issue.

Mr Gowan says early intervention is crucial. 

Sophie Pilgrim from the Scottish Children's Services Coalition says children need inpatient care for acute treatment due to the extreme behaviour they exhibit.

Ms Pilgrim says the family can break down under these circumstances.

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.

Rachel Stewart from Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) says issues around self-harm are not being well catered for.

Ms Stewart says health professionals and teachers should have some training in how to respond to self-harm.

She says an at home nurse service would be welcome where it is necessary.

Sophie Pilgrim from the Scottish Children's Services Coalition says it is prominently the teenage years where children experience mental health issues.

Ms Pilgrim says there is not enough provision for children with mental health issues under the age of eighteen.

She says their mental health can deteriorate dramatically because they are treated in adult units or returned to the community too early. 

SYP would like to see a mental health culture embedded throughout all schools and other places of learning."

Rachel Stewart says there needs to be more awareness about children's mental health in schools.

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

Michael Gowan Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP) says bridges must be built between young people and practitioners.

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. 

Image source, Scottish Youth Parliament

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. 

Conservative MSP Miles Briggs congratulates the Scottish Youth Parliament for its report "Our Generation's Epidemic".

Michael Gowan Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP) says there are not enough resources in schools to support young children's mental health.

Mr Gowan says there is not enough training of teachers in this field.

Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole- Hamilton asks what needs to be changed at CAMHS.

Sophie Pilgrim from the Scottish Children's Services Coalition says she supports about 1,000 families every year.

Ms Pilgrim says schools often do not recognise autistic spectrum disorders and there can be a very long lead time before treatment even after diagnosis.

She says children with autism need structure and a less stimulating environment, but a diagnosis must come first.