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WhatÌýwe’reÌýdoing for the ScotlandÌýandÌýWalesÌýparliamentaryÌýelectionÌýcampaigns and how you can get involved.Ìý

We’reÌýurging the next ScottishÌýand Welsh governmentsÌýto adopt policies that promote and enhance mental health and wellbeing, and betterÌýutiliseÌýthe skills,ÌýexpertiseÌýand capacity of the counselling and psychotherapy workforce. Ìý

OnÌý7ÌýMay, votersÌýinÌýScotlandÌýand WalesÌýwill go to the pollsÌýto electÌýparliamentary members.ÌýTheseÌýelectionsÌýareÌýan opportunity to put counselling on the agenda of allÌýMSPsÌýacross Scotland andÌýMSs across Wales.Ìý

WhatÌýwe’reÌýaskingÌý

 ScottishÌýGovernmentÌýÌý

• Use the counselling workforce to strengthen NHS provision Ìý
• Support Scotland’s third sector counselling services to further enhance mental health outcomes for all  Ìý
• Strengthen the school counselling offer in Scotland Ìý
• Restore vital mental health support for Scotland’s students Ìý
• Ban conversion practices Ìý

Download and read our full manifesto for ScotlandÌýÌý

WelshÌýGovernmentÌý

• Prioritise mental health and wellbeingÌý
• Use the counselling workforce to strengthen NHS provision Ìý
• Supporting Wales’s voluntary sector counselling servicesÌý
• Extend and strengthen school-based counselling Ìý
• Ban conversion practices in WalesÌý

Download and read our full manifesto forÌýWalesÌýÌý

Our members across Scotland and Wales could make a greater contribution to help address gaps in the mental health system if investmentÌýwasÌýavailable to unlock their capacity.Ìý

How can you help?Ìý

You can help by reading our manifesto asks and then writing to candidates in your area to ask them to support our campaign.Ìý

We’veÌýdeveloped a simple template which sends an email to prospective parliamentary candidates in your constituency.ÌýThis is a huge opportunity to promote the benefits of counselling and psychotherapy to the nextÌýScottishÌýandÌýWelshÌýgovernments.Ìý

Steve Mulligan, Four Nations Lead says,

"These are the most important elections in both nations for a very long time. In Scotland, record numbers of MSPs have retired this year meaning there will be a huge influx of new parliamentarians for us to urgently build credibility with. In Wales, the Senedd is increasing the number of MSs by one third, while the polls are pointing towards seismic changes to the political leadership of the nation for the first time in 25 years since devolution. It’s more important than ever that we build strong cross-party alliances, visibility and trust. We need our members to help us put counselling firmly on the agenda with all candidates standing for election, by taking action to support our campaign and to promote our manifesto asks. Our members across Scotland and Wales could make a greater contribution to help address gaps in the mental health system if investment was available to unlock their capacity."