MSP Neil Findlay has said that the Scottish Government could “learn from the work being done at Whitburn Academy”.
The Lothian MSP spoke about Scotland’s mental health crisis in a debate at First Minster’s Questions in Holyrood on Thursday, March 5, and praised the work of Whitburn Academy’s Be Herd project. Mr Findlay bemoaned that there is currently 11,000 young people waiting for mental health treatment in Scotland, with a further 30,000 open cases, and went onto say that the government should learn lessons from the pupils of Whitburn Academy who were watching proceedings.
He said: “I have an idea for the Scottish Government - why don’t you consult with the people in the gallery from Whitburn Academy? Listen to the parents, teachers, carers and most importantly the young people who are telling the parliament loud and clear that the system is failing young people across Scotland and the services are simply not there.
He continued: “The Scottish Government can learn from Whitburn Academy and should refocus its work on prevention, early intervention and promoting wellbeing across Scotland.”
MSP Angela Constance was next to speak and agreed that the voices of these young people should be taken into consideration.
Angela said: “I am very glad to place on record my appreciation of Whitburn Academy’s Be Herd group and everything they are doing to shatter the myths and stigma surrounding mental health.
“I think it is a good suggestion that public policy in services in Scotland should always be informed first and foremost by those with lived experience.”
Mrs Constance also took time to praise other West Lothian schools for tackling mental health issues. She spoke of the efforts that Inveralmond Community High School had put in during Mental Health Week, and also highlighted the work that the suicide prevention charity Neil’s Hugs have recently undertaken with West Calder High School, St Margaret’s Academy and West Lothian College.
The children, parents and staff from Whitburn Academy applauded from the gallery after both MSPs had spoken.
Be Herd is a pupil led health and wellbeing imitative at Whitburn Academy that encourages pupils, staff, parents and the wider community to talk about mental health.
Already they have set-up a wellbeing hub within the school where pupils can go to relax, or get advice. Added to that they have trained up 50 mental health first aiders, 20 trained suicide prevention officers and 10 LGBT ambassadors within the school.
The excellent work by the group to date has led to them being nominated for and winning both a West Lothian Council Stellar Award and a COSLA Gold Award. For more information http://www.whitburnacademy.westlothian.org.uk/article/47183/Be-Herd
