I’m sorry to update again so soon, but I didn’t want to let this moment pass without quietly acknowledging what you’ve all done. In just a matter of days, over 300 West Sussex residents have stood together to say that children with situational/selective mutism — and children living with untreated anxiety — deserve better.
What makes this even more painful is that for some anxiety‑based conditions, such as selective mutism, early support is absolutely crucial, yet West Sussex offers nothing beyond a short description and a link to buy a book. Meanwhile, neighbouring areas as close as East Sussex and Portsmouth already offer real, practical support: free training, helplines, therapy teams, advice lines, and direct access to guidance. These resources are publicly available, and West Sussex could even direct schools to the free training offered by neighboring authorities, but at the moment they don’t. If you are really struggling to find support - you could direct your child’s educational setting to this free training.
If you want to see the difference for yourself, I’ve attached the links.
I’ve also made a short reel on my personal Facebook page showing the three neighbouring areas’ offers side‑by‑side, which is shareable if anyone would like to support the petition further. (Joanna Stephenson)
Your signatures aren’t just numbers; they’re a collective voice saying our children deserve the same chance as those just a few miles away.
Thank you for standing with us.