THE number of young females being treated in mental health services across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has risen over the past five years.

Figures revealed through Freedom of Information show that between the years of 2014/15 to 2018/19, the number of women aged between 17 and 22 requiring specialist treatment steadily increased.

The most dramatic increase can be seen for those aged 21, where the number of those requiring specialist treatment rose from 355 in 2014/15 to 545 in 2018/19.

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Meanwhile, the number of men between the ages of 17 and 22 requiring mental health treatment between these years either remained the same or decreased.

Dr Justin Williams, vice-chair of Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services at the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland, said: “The increase in referrals in Greater Glasgow and Clyde may be due to an increase in awareness about mental health and people coming forward for treatment.

“The higher number of this age group being referred may also be down to the fact that Glasgow and the surrounding areas have a higher student population.

“What these figures do highlight is the fact we need extra resources. Across Scotland we have a lack of consultant psychiatrists and we need more junior doctors to choose psychiatry, to keep up with demand.”

Figures published in December last year revealed that more than 1500 children and young people were rejected from Child and Adolescents Mental Health Services in the last quarter.

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Billy Watson, chief executive at the Scottish Association for Mental Health, called on the Scottish Government to “urgently” deliver these services.

He said: “It’s unacceptable that so many young people in Scotland are still not getting access to the mental health support they need.

“Eighteen months ago, the Scottish Government accepted all the recommendations in a major report on rejected referrals.

“Since then, more than 9000 young people have been told they won’t receive help. While we recognise that the Scottish Government is taking steps to develop services in this area, more needs to be done.

“We’re repeating our calls on the Scottish Government to urgently deliver on all their commitments so that this group of vulnerable young people get help as a priority.”