Holyrood 487 / 9 May 2022

Let's Talk About Mental Health
Exclusive: Holyrood’s annual poll of MSPs and their mental health reveals high levels of anxiety among parliamentarians

3 Editor’s note
Here we are again rehearsing old arguments for why we should have rights over who we are and what our bodies are allowed to do. For God’s sake, this is about being a woman

5 Roundup
Pictures and numbers from the past two weeks
7 Talking Point
Corporate greed is re-shaping both Edinburgh and the Fringe
8 In Context
Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood) Bill

9 Political Spotlight: A Country in Limbo
As Nicola Sturgeon gets set to become the longest-serving first minister, Scottish politics is stuck in a rut
14 Overview: Waiting Room
Patients are suffering as waiting times continue to spiral – how can Scotland’s mental health services recover?
18 Interview: Tess White
With mental health and the menopause in the news, the north east MSP opens up about the death of her sister
24 Mental Health Poll: Taking stock
An exclusive Holyrood poll reveals the extent to which MSPs are experiencing mental health issues
28 Interview: Jess Phillips
The outspoken Labour MP on everything we really need to know about politics
33 The Holyrood Baby at 6: New challenges
Baby Kirsty is not a baby any more, but the pandemic has been hard for her

36 Getting to know...
Craig Hoy on political awakenings and putting his passport in a drawer
38 Comment
Neil Findlay on why we need a better calibre of debate in Scottish politics
39 Politicians’ pets
Sue Webber introduces us to Alfie the Hungarian Vizsla
40 Diary
Featuring some filthy tractor pics...
41 Political Spin
Elena Whitham on her rock and roll life
42 Last Word
Sketch: Ivan McKee is left holding the baby

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