Extra £1 million of funding for mental health and autism support announced by Scottish Government health secretary Jeane Freeman as Covid-19 coronavirus lockdown continues

HEALTH Secretary Jeane Freeman has announced extra support for mental health initiatives during today's coronavirus update.

Ms Freeman said £700,000 would be provided for The Spark counselling service for families, with £200,000 going to autism organisations and £105,000 for Young Scot to provide new digital content on mental well-being.

Support was also outlined for people about to leave prison – with £105,000 towards enhancing rehabilitation services.

£1.9 million is also being targeted towards opiate substitution therapy for drug-addicted prisoners who need it.

Separately, in answer to a question about whether Scottish schools could return at the start of June – as has been speculated could be the case for schools in England – Ms Freeman said: "We will take decisions the evidence tells us are the right decisions for the people of Scotland."

She said the fact that the number of patients with Covid-19 currently in intensive care – 99 – was "very encouraging" as it is the first time that figure has fallen under 100 since March 29.

However she said there should be "some caution" over the current total of deaths – up 12 since yesterday – as she pointed out that reporting is often lower over weekends.

Related article: Number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Highlands nears 300.

Click here to read more coronavirus news.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.