Scotland has a mental health crisis that could get worse due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the new Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has warned.
Writing on the Church website to coincide with Mental Health Week in May, the Rt Rev Dr Martin Fair called for more funding for mental health services, but also for everyone to ‘consider some small steps’ to looking after each other more.
Dr Fair wrote: “My fear is that [the mental health crisis] is only going to get worse in these days as a result of this present crisis. Those who already felt isolated and vulnerable will be feeling that even more. Those who already struggled with anxiety are hardly likely to be feeling more relaxed or assured. Jobs are being lost, support services are shut down and networks of family and friends, though accessible online, are more distant. As the psalm writer said: ‘You have taken from me friend and neighbour.’ (Psalm 88:18a)