'No waiting, no rejection, no stigma': Charity opens walk-in mental health hub

A leading charity has opened the first in a Scotland-wide network of walk-in mental health hubs.

The Nook in Glasgow is the first of a network of such hubs which will aim to provide immediate support for people experiencing mental health problems. The hubs, run by Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH), will offer barrier-free access to support, with its walk-in system meaning no bookings, referrals or waiting lists.

The Nook opened in Glasgow on Thursday and is set to be followed by hubs in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Inverclyde and Lanarkshire over the next three years. The hub is open seven days a week and all those looking for mental health support can walk in and speak to the team.

SAMH chief executive Billy Watson said: "The Nook offers anyone experiencing mental health problems accessible support, and our skilled and compassionate team is ready to welcome visitors. "There will be no waiting list, there will be no rejection and no stigma - we're cutting through the red tape to make it as easy as possible for people to get the help they need.

"We know it's hard enough to ask for help when someone is at their lowest. It takes courage to reach out.

"When people do so, they should be able to ask once and get help fast. That's what The Nook is all about.

"The Nook is the most ambitious thing we've ever done. This is SAMH standing up, taking action, and creating change with a solution that will transform community mental health support." Read more from Sky News:Orcadians to receive mental health support to beat winter bluesSimple joy of climbing trees 'out of reach for millions' Lucy Main, 20, from Paisley in Renfrewshire, is a member of SAMH's young people's panel.

She said: "When I was 10, I was given a mental health diagnosis based on assumptions because I was a young female. That label stuck and because of it, my physical symptoms - which were not caused by my mental health - were often ignored.

"For a long time, I felt like no one was really listening to me. Thankfully my family stood by me and fought to make sure my voice was heard, but I know not everyone is so fortunate.

"That's why breaking the stigma around mental health, especially for young people, is so crucial. We need better education, earlier awareness, and more safe, welcoming spaces like The Nook where people can speak openly, ask for help and be taken seriously.

"Sometimes simply being heard can change everything." Shona Littlejohn, chairwoman of SAMH, said Scotland "is in a mental health crisis". She added: "For far too long, people have been sitting on waiting lists, alone, and unable to access to support they need.

"This is for them and the tens of thousands of others across Scotland in need of help. "We believe The Nook will truly revolutionise mental health support in Scotland by both delivering walk-in support and inspiring collective action to change the system in the longer term.".