AN SNP MSP who resigned as a minister in the Scottish Government citing “post-traumatic stress” has hit out at hostility online.
Elena Whitham quit her role as the drugs minister in Humza Yousaf’s government on Tuesday evening, saying she “experienced a series of events leading to post-traumatic stress which has impacted my wellbeing greatly and for which I am receiving treatment”.
Whitham had been appointed to the key ministerial role in March 2023, after previously serving as community safety minister.
Many of her SNP colleagues wrote to wish her well moving forward. The First Minister said: “Elena is a treasured colleague and friend who has worked hard and delivered while in Government. I am deeply saddened to hear about her ill health.
“Politics, in particular, can be brutal. We will seek to support Elena as much as we can during what is a difficult period for her.”
However, many accounts responding to the news were more hostile.
Some suggested she was being “insincere,” that the post-traumatic stress excuse was somehow fabricated, and demanded to know what events had led to her treatment. Others accused the MSP of being a “grifter”.
READ MORE: Tory minister called out for 'double standards' on Scottish independence
Other social media users called out the hostility, with one writing: “Some of the comments on here are just beyond belief.
“This is a person going through a hellish time and some see it as an opportunity to hurl abuse. Wishing Elena all the best.”
On Wednesday morning, Whitham also spoke out against the “animus” from some corners, while also thanking others.
The now-former minister wrote: “My decision to leave my ministerial post was not an easy one but a necessary one for my wellbeing.
“Thank you for all the kind messages I have received but it is clear from some of the animus, we still have such a long way to go when it comes to openly talking about mental health.”
My decision to leave my ministerial post was not an easy one but a necessary one for my wellbeing. Thank you for all the kind messages I have received but it is clear from some of the animus, we still have such a long way to go when it comes to openly talking about mental health.
— Elena Whitham MSP (@ElenaWhitham) February 7, 2024
In December, a survey of around 6000 Scots adults and children was published which suggested that wellbeing in Scotland was at its lowest level on record.
The Scottish Health Survey, published by the Scottish Centre for Social Research and the Scottish Government, involved 4394 adults and 1764 children in 2022. The average score was 47, down from 48.6 the previous year and the lowest since it was first logged in 2008, when it was measured at 50.
Mental wellbeing appeared to be heavily impacted by both deprivation levels and age.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel