As a psychologist, a psychotherapist and a mum who has had first hand experience of the Scottish civil court process for 7 years, I have witnessed countless, avoidable, errors that are made by workers of the court and that are having disastrous consequences for our children's mental health.

Due to my education and experience in mental health, I am extremely concerned by the detrimental impact these actions are having on children who are being dragged through the civil court process against their will and the lifelong difficulties this is causing them. Sadly, this damage to our children's mental health is completely avoidable and is being caused by those who are meant to be acting in their best interests. 

Our children's mental health can be protected easily with more psychology and mental health awareness training for all workers of the court, including child welfare reporters, curators, Sheriffs and any others who potentially directly impact children and their mental health through their actions.

We all talk about the importance of our children's future and improving things for the generations to come, but this is an area where our children's mental health is completely overlooked. Thankfully, not all children will have experience of the Scottish civil court process as a child, however that doesn't mean they won't experience it in their lifetime.

Change is overdue and action needs to be taken!