A group of youngsters have raised £14,000 with NHS Grampian for a new mental health unit.
The young people, aged between nine and 12, have helped to kit out the new Links Unit, a specially designed centre for children’s and adolescents’ mental health care, which was opened in Aberdeen last month.
The campaign #kidsforcamhs was also recognised by the Scottish Health Awards, as one of the finalists in the Volunteers Award category.
Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald has praised the youngsters’ efforts in a parliamentary debate on mental health.
He said: “It is inspiring to see the dedication of #kidsforcamhs towards improving the way mental health services are provided to children and young people in and around Aberdeen.
“Mental health care provision is facing a crisis, and even though NHS Grampian’s waiting times for young people’s mental health care have improved in the last 18 months, there is still a long way to go before every child who needs help is seen within the 18-week limit.
“The Scottish Government needs to step up and do more to support mental health services across the country, providing support and leadership at national level to boards trying to tackle the mental health crisis at local level.”