Last week was ‘Mental Health Awareness Week’ however the need to consider the mental health of ourselves and others is continuous.
This is especially true of young peoples’ mental health. Young people have always faced wide ranging challenges, many of these have become more intense in recent years and have been exacerbated further by the current pandemic.
Everyone has a role in being able to listen carefully to concerns and anxieties. Providing a reassuring presence can make a really positive difference. For some young people professionalised support from specialist services including GPs and other agencies is critical to help them get through what may feel like an intensely difficult period.
I have been in contact with all our local Secondary School Heads in the last few days and I know how hard all are working with their pastoral support teams in school to help identify and support students who need extra assistance. Mental Health First Aid and support is being rolled out across all schools and I know many are finding the techniques really helpful in the school environment. I have also raised with the Government the idea, suggested by one Head, that we should also be making Mental Health First Aid courses available to parents.
It is really important that young people have a trusted adult with whom they can talk whether that be through family, school or youth community services.
However Mental health is an extremely complex issue, the support of GPs and other practitioners is invaluable as is the work of brilliant charities such as Young Minds
We are all very aware that Covid has made everything more difficult. As part of the new support for mental health in schools announced last week funding will include a new Wellbeing for Education Recovery programme, providing expert training and resources for staff helping children and young people experiencing additional pressures from the last year.
Everyones’ efforts are focussed on helping young people navigate what are difficult pressures with the help of their friends, family, their school and other agencies. Not everyone who feels sad or down will need extra professional support but for some this is really important.
The YES service is designed to help 11-18 year olds who feel they may need support with their wellbeing. The service is free for those for whom it is signposted and can help with a range of issues such as mood, relationships, unhelpful thoughts and significant life events . I have seen them operating brilliantly before the pandemic and I know many find their support really helpful. I know the services have been badly disrupted by Covid and are now needed more than ever. I am in contact with the County Council about how this service could be enhanced and improved for the young people who benefit from it.
Another area I am pursuing is the support provided by CAMHS. CAMHS have superb doctors and nurses who are hugely dedicated to supporting young people. Their services are specialised and targeted at those most in need (other young people may find other techniques or being with a group more helpful for them). There has been a huge increase in resources for CAMHS as we all recognise the vital work they do. However, unfortunately, despite these increasing resources it takes more time than any of us would want to train the professionals needed to fulfil this vital work. There are no easy answers but CAMHS and the Department of Health must do all they can to get more Mental Health Nurses and Doctors through onto the frontline – I am in contact with both.
Lastly if you are with a young person who is going through a Mental health crisis please do remember that A&E is available and does have specialised Mental Health practitioners who can assist in a crisis.