The Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee will conclude its work this Parliament in March 2026 ahead of the next Scottish Parliament election. So the Committee has time to complete its work, it has agreed not to consider petitions submitted after 10 October.
The Committee will continue to meet but given the volume of petitions and agreed work programme it is unlikely that the Committee would be able to meaningfully progress work on petitions submitted after 10 October ahead of the election. Petitions lodged after this date will not fall when the Parliament is dissolved and will be for the successor committee to consider in the new session.
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Under consideration PE1871: Full review of mental health services
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to carry out a full review of mental health services in Scotland to include the referral process; crisis support; risk assessments; safe plans; integrated services working together; first response support and the support available to families affected by suicide.
Previous action taken
I have contacted my MSP Monica Lennon who raised the issue at first minister questions. I also met with Clare Haughey MSP, then Minister for Mental Health, and raised my concerns.
Background information
My partner Luke Henderson died by suicide in December 2017 after asking for help up to eight times in the week before his death. I feel mental health services and the risk assessment failed Luke in his hour of need.
Luke’s situation is not unique and now families are joining together to push for a fit for purpose mental health service. All these families had someone who tried to access mental health service prior to their deaths and were turned away with no help, resulting in them taking their own life.
With so many people slipping through the crack, we want a fit for purpose mental health service to ensure no other families feel this pain.
The review should also look at the process for people who died by suicide and had been in contact with mental health service within seven day prior to their death and support service for families who lost a loved one to suicide.
1,470 signatures
This petition is now under consideration
Click here for further information about the consideration of this petition.