Community-based mental health support for children and young people

Too many young people experience significant barriers to accessing support and treatment for their mental health. Many wait months or even years for treatment, while thousands get no support at all after having their referrals to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, rejected as they’re not regarded as “ill enough”.

Councillors can help by ensuring their local authority:

• Expands support available in the community for children and young people which is easy to access, able to meet demand, and places children and young people’s voices at the centre.
• Ensures school counselling services are resourced to meet demand.
• Includes sustainable funding for the delivery of community-based services for young people in their financial plans.