We are now facing a Childrens Mental illness pandemic, did you know that the average delay between onset of symptoms and intervention is 8 to 10 years!

50% of secondary school students are dropping out of school because of unsupported mental illness!

90% of 10 to 24 years commting suicide have done so due mental illness!

Something has to change, our kids need more support than this.

In an article published on Health and Social Care March 2021, Matt Hancock said:

Over the last year great focus has rightly been placed on our physical health, but I am incredibly conscious of the impact the pandemic has had on people’s mental health and wellbeing.

Children and young people have been particularly impacted by disruption to their routine, education and social lives and I am committed to doing all I can to ensure mental health support is there for those who need it.

Millions more children and young people will have access to significantly expanded mental health services, backed by £79 million.

Where is this money going? 

It has been a tough few years for everyone, especially tough for families that are waiting for referrals to CAMHS or a local service to offer support for their child's mental health.

Some are unable to access services, and they repeatedly told :-

• The child manages well in school - according to teachers.

• Their child doesn't have any real issues with behavior.

• They don't 'look autistic' or like they have ADHD.

• Maybe it is the parents problem not the child.

• Its not depression, its a phase.

But at home the child displays 'traits' and 'behaviors' that have brought the parent to seek help in the first place.

We need to change the way parents and children are supported; parents shouldn't feel like they have to fight for support for their child's mental health.

Being a parent is hard enough, without being made to think our concerns for our children's mental health are not valid or real.

For those families who finally receive a CAMHS assessment, are then informed it will be a minimum of 4 years before they will receive the help they so desperately need.

How had it get to this?

Lets work together get the right support for all our children, and their families.