It comes after the GMB launched their annual festive campaign encouraging people to look out for one another and point those they fear are struggling in the right direction to mental health services. 

Earlier this year, a document was released that says the percentage of people reporting mental health conditions more than doubled in Scotland and increased six-fold in young people between the census of 2011 and 2022.

Speaking about the campaign, launched at the beginning of December, GMB convenor Chris Mitchell said: “We have issued the same message that we do every year that everyone who is lonely, struggling and has maybe not got any family around reach out.

READ MORE:

“We need to make sure that everyone rallies around each other and if they find out anyone is struggling with their mental health to point them in the right direction of services that can help. 

“If anyone can take anyone in throughout the Christmas period for Christmas dinner, for example someone who has not got anyone within the depots, it would be much appreciated.

“We have been running this campaign for several years now. Every year, we point out that a lot of people have nothing, they might stay by themselves.

“What we are saying is that if there is anyone you are worried might be struggling with loneliness do try and make sure they are not on their own at this time and are looked after.”

READ MORE:

The GMB has been distributing leaflets to point people in the right direction of counselling services as well as different organisations that work through Christmas and New Year.

Chris added: “Some of our members have addiction problems so this is probably one of the hardest times of the year for them.

“They are maybe staying by themselves so it is easy to turn to the bottle because they don’t have anyone to look after them so we have to point them in the right direction.

“We need to continue to promote mental health and wellbeing within the work place, particularly at this time of year.

“No-one should be left alone at Christmas time. We cannot let this go.”