Almost two thirds of Scottish parents say they're suffering mentally because of the cost-of-living crisis. A new poll of parents and carers found that 64 per cent of those asked thought the rising prices of food, energy and bills had "negatively impacted" their mental health.
More than eight in ten said they felt "overwhelmed" as they struggled to keep up with payments. The survey, conducted by youth mental health charity stem4, found that half of Scots families can no longer afford family outings and trips as household budgets continue to be squeezed.
Data suggests one in three Scots families are also struggling to heat their homes, and a quarter are finding it difficult to access health services, including mental health provision. This comes as the Record ends a week-long series assessing the dire situation facing Scotland's NHS amid staff shortages and dwindling resources.
One Scots parent quizzed by the charity said both they and their child had been getting help with their mental health before the pandemic. They both suffered when lockdown put an end to face-to-face services.
They added: "My mental and physical health got worse during the pandemic due to being unable to see my doctor, I still can’t get an appointment. My child was receiving help from CAMHS due to gender problems and social anxiety, this was stopped.
"On top of this, the cost-of-living crisis is an added burden, we can’t afford to bath, or heat the house, buy decent food or clothes. I don’t know if I can go on much longer."
Another said that her daughter had tried to take her own life – and when informed, doctors suggested to her parents that they look up tips on a mental health website. The parent added: "Not everything can be overcome with sheer grit.
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