Distressed mental health patients are being forced to wait more than a year for therapy on the NHS.
That is the view of one shocked sufferer who said people with depression and other problems are being failed by the health service.
The Fife man, who is in his forties and has a young family, claimed his life is on hold while he waits for the treatment he desperately needs.
He asked: “What person with a mental health condition can wait a year for treatment?
“How many people go under in the time they are waiting? What needs to happen before this is taken seriously?
“Mental health should be given the same priority as other health conditions.
“You wouldn’t leave a cancer patient on a waiting list for a year without treatment.”
The man has the backing of Cowdenbeath MSP Alex Rowley, who has questioned the ability of the NHS to cope with the rising numbers of people in need of psychological therapy.
Mr Rowley also called for more funding for third sector organisations to enable them to provide alternative support in the community.
Both men have acknowledged the problem is not unique to Fife, where 6% of those referred are now waiting more than a year for therapy, down from almost 11% at the end of last year.
Around 11% of patients are waiting between 36 and 52 weeks, with just 57% beginning treatment within the Scottish Government’s target of 18 weeks.
Mr Rowley said: “People are waiting far too long. I don’t think the NHS is coping with the level of demand and these figures back that up.”
He added: “There are major issues and different campaign organisations representing people with mental health illnesses are raising their concerns.”
Dr Katherine Cheshire, a consultant psychologist with NHS Fife, said the board regretted the length of time some people were having to wait for therapy.
“We recognise that any delay is difficult to cope with when someone is in distress,” she said.
“The demand for psychological services continues to grow year-on-year in Fife, as elsewhere in the country, and it remains a challenge to keep pace with this demand.”
She added that more therapeutic options were being developed in a bid to meet demand, including those delivered in groups or classes.
More staff are also being trained and the board is working with therapists outwith NHS Fife to increase the options available.