There were almost 7,000 detentions for compulsory mental health care and treatment in Scotland over the last year, new figures from the Mental Welfare Commission show.

The number of detentions in Scotland for compulsory mental health care and treatment rose to 6,713 in 2022-23, while the number of safeguards fell.

This represented a rise of 1.7% on the previous year and is consistent with rising figures over the longer term, from 4,530 detentions in 2013-4.

It is expected, the commission says, that every emergency detention under the Mental Health Act should be decided by a doctor with the consent of a mental health officer (a specialist social worker) except if it is not practicable.

But every year, the commission records fewer emergency detentions without that consent.

Last year, fewer than 40% involved a mental health officer.

The report also showed clear links between deprivation and mental ill health, with a disproportionate number of detentions affecting people from deprived areas.

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