YoungMinds Very Important Kids(VIK), a national panel of young people with mental health problems, today, launch their manifesto to politicians to highlight the changes that need to be made to improve mental health services.
Written in their words and including their own stories it covers 11 areas where they believe things must change so that all young people with mental health problems get the support they often so desperately need. Three children in every classroom have a diagnosable mental health problem such as depression, anxiety or eating disorders and around one in 12 young people self harm. Over half of adults with mental health problems are diagnosed in childhood, yet less than half were treated appropriately at the time.
Jane, 14, from VIK says: “We need help and support early on, not when it’s too late. I was excluded form the classroom for my disruptive behaviour, I felt unworthy unwanted and bad when all I really wanted was for someone to notice my distress and help me.”
Mark, 18, also from VIK added: “I have been called attention seeking, mental, weird and told to shut up, it’s just hormonal. It’s time we were able to talk to our friends, teachers and parents about how we feel and its time they started really listening”
Lucie Russell Director of Campaigns said: “Whilst there have been numerous policy documents published in the past few years, they haven’t led to sufficient progress being made to young people’s mental health services. We still hear from children and young people about long waiting lists, some over six months, and the acute lack of support teenagers have in school.
“With three young people in every class with a serious mental health problem this is not something we can ignore. Tackling problems early in childhood can prevent them from escalating into serious long term mental health problems saving millions in future costs to the NHS, education, social care and the criminal justice system. The Government needs to take action now and ensure the manifesto points are implemented so that young people with mental health problems get the vital support they so urgently need.”
To find out more go to www.youngminds.org.uk , where you can read the manifesto, watch Messin’ With Our Heads, the moving and powerful film made by VIK to bring the manifesto points alive and to sign our online petition.
