SCOTLAND faces a “system-wide crisis” in support for people with ADHD and autism, psychiatrists warned today.

A new Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland (RCPsychiS) report set out a 10-point plan to turn the crisis around, proposing measures including the creation of national standards for ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and autism assessments, as well as making support not dependent on a formal diagnosis.

The report comes after Scottish Parliament figures revealed in June that 65,000 people, including 42,000 children, were languishing on waiting lists for assessments, many for years, as demand has surged by 2,000 per cent in some areas since 2020.

RCPsychiS vice-chairman Dr Pavan Srireddy said: “The stakes are high. People with ADHD are up to five times more likely to die by suicide, while those with autism are nine times at greater risk.

“We know the right support, offered early on in people’s journey, can be life changing, and that rather than getting stuck, people can move on in their lives and flourish.”

Pledging a cross-party summit, SNP Mental Wellbeing Minister Tom Arthur said: “We’re grateful to the college for its work and will now carefully review the report.”