Edinburgh MSP sets up mental health action group in her constituency

Newly re-elected Edinburgh Eastern SNP MSP Ash Denham is to set up a mental health action group in the constituency to improve access to support.

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She plans to invite national and local third sector organisations and NHS Lothian to be part of the group which she will chair.

Forming the group was a key local pledge in Ms Denham’s re-election campaign in the constituency, which stretches from Portobello to Gilmerton.

Ash Denham promised to set up the group in an election pledge

She said: "One in three Scots are affected by ill mental health every year and in this next session of parliament we will need to do more than we have ever done before to support them.

"The SNP in government will increase mental health spending by at least 25 per cent over the course of this parliament and will put a dedicated mental health link worker in every GP practice across the country.

"But it's incumbent on all MSPs to take individual actions on a local level as well and I will do that by organising and chairing an Edinburgh Eastern Mental Health Action Group to identify the specific needs of the constituency and take urgent actions to improve access to support and services."

"I will be inviting a number of stakeholders - including third sector organisations working in mental health and NHS Lothian - to take part and contribute."

Mental heath featured prominently in this year’s election campaigns by all parties, not least because of concerns about the impact which the Covid pandemic has had on many people’s mental wellbeing.

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