Scotland is in the grip of a mental health epidemic, according to the latest census, which showed young women were twice as likely to have a mental health condition compared to men. In 2022, 15.4% of people aged 16 to 24 reported having a mental health condition, up from 2.
5% in 2011. Females in this age group were twice as likely to report having a mental health condition at 20.4%, compared to males at 10.
5%. Rebecca Miller, 22, said she began suffering from an eating disorder at the age of 12. Doctors referred her to the Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), where she underwent therapy for two years.
Rebecca told STV News: “I was in a spiralling circle. I was judging myself in the mirror. “I wasn’t gaining as much weight as I should have been, and it turned out to be anxiety-based.
“I was really young and trying to navigate that is difficult. Going through the challenges of high school is difficult enough, never mind dealing with anxiety, having that looming over you. “I always dreaded going to school – first period was a no-go for me.
I think it took me until after high school to feel confident in my ability to combat those things.” Rebecca was referred for further counselling aged 18, but found it difficult during Covid. “I really struggled to engage as much as I could if I was face to face with a therapist and converse as much as I would have in person.
They could probably feel it on their end that I wasn’t putting my all into it. “I.
