Together we can stop children’s mental health services being cut | Louise Irvine and Tony O’Sullivan

Councillors in a London borough backed down when the community confronted them. As local elections approach, it’s time to step up the pressure

There is growing concern about the rising rates of mental illness in children and young people, for whom suicide is one of the leading causes of death. One in 10 children between the ages of five and 16 has a clinically diagnosable mental problem, and many go into adulthood with serious unresolved problems. Indeed 50% of mental health problems in adults were identifiable by the age of 14.

It’s clear that helping children and young people who are struggling with anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicidal thoughts is crucial to their current and future wellbeing. Fortunately the right kind of expert help at the right time makes a huge difference. Unfortunately, services for children and young people’s mental health (known as CAMHS – child and adolescent mental health services) are under severe threat across the country from cuts that began several years ago and are set to continue, despite all the warm rhetoric of government about investing in children’s mental health.

Related: 'People shouldn't have to move': getting care for an eating disorder

What we did in Lewisham can happen everywhere – there is power when people come together

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from Children | The Guardian http://ift.tt/2HQMDNQ