FOI 26-149 Mental Health Training for Situational Mutism
Freedom of Information Request
- Reference
- FOI 26-149 Mental Health Training for Situational Mutism
- Request Date
- 15 Mar 2026
- Response Date
- 01 Apr 2026
- Information Requested
Is situational mutism covered in paramedic Mental Health training? If so, what is the guidance for interacting with and treating a patient with situational mutism?
- Response
The Scottish Ambulance Service does not provide mental health education that covers situational mutism as a standalone topic.
Instead, paramedic mental health education focuses on broader communication needs within the Scottish population, including supporting patients who are non‑verbal, individuals who use communication aids, or people who communicate in alternative ways. This approach is intended to support a wide range of communication barriers that clinicians may encounter in practice.
As part of this approach, staff are taught to adapt their communication to the individual patient’s needs. This may include the use of written communication, visual aids or communication cards where appropriate. Where existing care plans or known communication needs are available, these are followed.
In addition, national clinical guidance within JRCALC includes a section titled “Patients with Communication Difficulties”. This provides generic guidance to support clinicians when caring for patients who are non‑speaking or who experience communication barriers. The guidance applies to a range of situations, including (but not limited to) learning disabilities, autism, dementia, mental health problems, and hearing or speech difficulties.
This guidance is intended to support any patient interaction where communication difficulties are present, rather than being condition‑specific, and was last updated in April 2025.
