The Mental Health Officers Report 2025 shows an increase in the number of active MHO posts to 788. These posts were filled by 763 individuals (headcount) which is up from 729 in 2024.
It also shows the overall hours estimated to be spent on MHO duties each week in 2025 was 14,702, representing a rise of 25.9% since December 2021 and the highest level since we started reporting this figure in 2016.
Twenty-one local authorities reported a shortfall in MHO provision totalling 1,951 hours per week, amounting to a shortfall of approximately 54 whole time equivalent MHOs. This figure is down slightly from 2024 when the reported shortfall was 2,417 hours each week and 67 whole time equivalent MHOs.
Of the 21 local authorities reporting a shortfall in MHO hours, the biggest shortfall of 304.5 hours per week is in South Lanarkshire and the lowest reported shortfall is 14 hours per week in East Ayrshire.
Eleven local authorities reported no shortfall in MHO hours (Aberdeen, Clackmannanshire, Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow City, Midlothian, Scottish Borders, Shetland Islands, South Ayrshire, Stirling and West Lothian). This is up from nine local authorities reporting no shortfall in 2024.
SSSC Chief Executive Maree Allison said: ‘It’s positive the both the number of active MHO posts and the number of people filling them have increased for the third year in a row.
‘However, we need to balance this against the continuing reported shortfall in MHO duties reported by 21 local authorities, which in 2025 amounted to 1,951 hours each week.
‘Statistics produced by our Workforce Intelligence Team, analysing data collected directly from local authorities, help workforce planning and succession planning by the Scottish Government, local authorities and others by giving an accurate picture of the MHO workforce.’
Key points from this year’s MHO report
- There were 788 active MHO posts in 2025, which is 23 more than the 765 in 2024. This increase results in the highest number since records began in 2005.
- The number of individuals (headcount) working as an MHO rose from 729 in 2024 to 763 in 2025.
- The overall hours estimated to be spent on MHO duties each week in 2025 was 14,702 the highest since 2016 when we started reporting this figure.
- Since December 2021 there has been a rise of 25.9% of the hours worked by MHOs.
- Between 2024 and 2025 there was a rise of 822 hours (5.9%) in the overall hours estimated to be spent on MHO duties each week.
- Reported shortfall decreased by 466 hours per week (19.3%) from 2,417 to 1,951 hours per week.
- Between December 2024 and December 2025, 49 staff left 46 MHO posts.
Our role supporting MHOs
We support the education and training of social workers to become mental health officers through setting professional standards and competencies. We also monitor and quality assure the Mental Health Officer Award programmes which are approved by us and delivered by universities.
Download the Mental Health Officers Report 2025 here.
You can find more reports on our Workforce Data website