In the policy document they call for a parity of esteem between mental and physical health, and for an additional £300 million to be spent over the course of this parliament on helping treat mental health.
Last week NHS statistics revealed that a fifth of children and adults with mental health issues were not seen within the 18-week treatment time target.
And data released earlier this year in the Scottish Health Survey also showed that one in five adults reported symptoms of depression in 2015, up from 14 per cent six years ago.
Measures in the policy include:
· A new £10 million community mental health development fund to help increase the capacity for social prescribing and to fund projects across Scotland
· Bringing forward plans for mental health link workers in GP practices as part of our aim to have specialist mental health support in every GP practice or hub
· Mental health support provided in every A&E department on a 24/7 basis
· Appointing a mental health champion in schools and businesses
· Helping more disabled people who also suffer with mental health issues into work
· Looking into how social media companies can help tackle online bullying
· A review of all services available for mothers-to-be and mothers of young children with a view to expanding ante-natal and post-natal mental health services
· The implementation of a much better referral system for young people who self-harm so that they are able to be seen without delay and referred to a local support group
It comes ahead of the Scottish Government announcing its new 10-year mental health strategy, which is due to be published in the new year.
The party announced their new policy at the Edinburgh office of PWC, where Ruth and the party’s mental health spokesman Miles Briggs learned about the steps the company is taking to support mental health.
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said:
“For too long there's been a failure to recognise mental health issues as being just as urgent and debilitating as physical injuries.
“As we stated in our manifesto in May, there needs to be a step change in the amount of support we currently offer to those suffering from mental ill health.
“That is why we are calling for an extra £300 million to be spent over the course of this parliament on improving services, and ensuring that no one has to wait too long to receive treatment.
“With the Scottish Government’s 10-year mental health strategy due to be published next year, we hope these ideas will help inform the debate about how we achieve the most effective strategy possible.
“We need a vibrant and far reaching debate on these issues to ensure that Scots have access to the best possible mental health services that we can provide.”
Scottish Conservative mental health spokesman Miles Briggs said:
“Since May we have been speaking to a wide range of mental health organisations and charities to discuss what would be the best way to improve services in Scotland.
“Their views have helped us shape our new strategy, and we believe that these measures could make a significant difference to those suffering from mental ill health.
“It is clear that more needs to be done to improve capacity and staffing across the health service and address the unacceptable waiting times for treatment.
“We now hope that SNP ministers will listen to these proposals and consider them ahead of the publication of the new mental health strategy next year.”