THE number of mental health calls to NHS 24 has soared by a whopping 580 per cent in four years as Scotland grapples with a “mental health epidemic,” shocking new figures published today show.

Scottish Labour said that the data, obtained by a freedom of information request, shows SNP ministers must act now to protect austerity-hit mental health services.

NHS 24 received 139,008 mental health calls in 2022, up from just 20,434 in 2019, the figures suggest, while the total number of abandoned calls has risen by an eye-watering 6,200 per cent in four years – from 645 in 2019 to 40,836 last year.

Scottish Labour mental health spokesman Paul Sweeney urged Holyrood to increase funding to deal with the “unprecedented demand” for services.

He said: “The numbers speak for themselves – Scotland is in the grips of a mental health epidemic and people need all the support they can get.

“The legacy of the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis has been challenging for many people’s wellbeing, but an increase in demand for mental health support of this level is alarming.

“There is a concerning risk that this jump in calls is partly due to people not being able to access the help they need from another primary care provider due to prolonged waiting lists.”

The Glasgow region MSP noted that funding for mental health services rose from £273.9 million in 2021-22 to £290.2m this year, but the budget for 2023-24 has been frozen despite double-digit inflation.

“That the SNP is freezing spending on mental health in this climate is nothing short of shameful,” he charged.

“The SNP must start taking their commitment to increase mental health funding to 10 per cent of the NHS budget seriously by reversing their funding freeze so that this unprecedented demand is met proportionately and efficiently.”

A Scottish government spokeswoman said: “Direct investment in mental health has more than doubled since 2020-21 and we continue to invest in growing the workforce and seeking further improvements.

“The mental health workforce has expanded significantly, with a record number of staff providing more varied support to a larger number of people than ever before.

“The psychology and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services staffing has more than doubled since 2007.”