£20m pledged to hire mental health counsellors for students

The Scottish Government has pledged £20 million for the hiring of “essential'' counsellors at colleges and universities.

The funding, due to be paid over the next four years, is enough to hire 80 mental health professionals at institutions across Scotland.

In this academic year, colleges and universities will receive £3.6 million, as well as a further £100,000 for the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) to aid with the implementation of the funding.

The SFC said 38 full-time equivalent counsellors will be hired by universities and the remaining 42 will be employed in Scotland's colleges.

The funding, which will be paid in instalments to colleges and universities every month from December, is part of a wider attempt by the Scottish Government to revamp mental health services, costing £250 million.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “Supporting the health and wellbeing of students is essential if they are to achieve their full potential.

“Our significant investment - in more than 80 additional mental health counsellors over the next four years - will strengthen the support available in every college and university in Scotland.

“This is part of our wider investment in the services supporting young people's mental health, including the development of new community wellbeing services and a 24/7 crisis support service.

“I want every student to be able to access the mental health support they need, regardless of whether they are at college or university, and we will work closely with the sectors to achieve this.''

National Union of Students (NUS) Scotland president Liam McCabe said improved mental health care for students is a priority for his organisation.

He said: “We're delighted that the Scottish Government has committed to invest in more counsellors for Scotland's colleges and universities - and that students will begin benefiting this year.

“NUS Scotland is committed to ensuring every student, no matter where they study, has access to the best mental health support and we look forward to working with the Scottish Government to deliver just that in the years ahead.''

Karen Watt, chief executive of the Scottish Funding Council, described good mental health as “fundamental'' to academic attainment in students.

She added: “The Scottish Funding Council is committed to making this investment work for all those who need access to counselling services."