Have your say on mental health services for young people
15 June 2015 (updated on 15 June 2015)
What changes would you like to see to mental health services for young people? How can social media be used to raise awareness?
The 2015 Youth Select Committee are coming to Parliament on 26 June and 3 July to take evidence for their inquiry into mental health, and they want to hear from you.
The committee, all aged 13-18, will be questioning panels of experts, young people and MPs before submitting a report to the Government this autumn.
For the first time the committee are also asking members of the public to get in touch via social media and share their thoughts on questions such as:
- How can we to prevent stigma and discrimination towards young people with mental health issues?
- Do you feel informed about the mental health services available to you?
- Is education on mental health in schools sufficient? Should it be a compulsory part of the National Curriculum?
If you have ideas you would like to share or questions you would like the committee to put to their witnesses please share them on Twitter using #youthselect #mental health.
Your tweets will be included in the brief for the committee and may be included in the final report which will be presented to the government in autumn.
Rhys Hart, Chair of the Youth Select Committee says:
"With over 140 pieces of submitted evidence from young patients to paediatricians and politicians, we now have a real variety of detailed and valuable evidence, and we are extremely thankful to all those who submitted. Our first oral evidence on Friday 26 June will give us the opportunity to hear from a wide range of people from up and down the country. Mental health is a sensitive but significantly important issue to young people with over 90,500 voting for it in the 'Make your Mark' campaign last year. I am eager to begin the oral evidence stages and I'm looking forward to what the panellist have to say."
When and where
The evidence sessions are open to the public on a first come, first served basis. There is no system for the prior reservation of seats in Committee Rooms.
The evidence sessions will take place on Friday 26 June and Friday 3 July 2015, from 9.30am-5pm, in the Thatcher Room at Portcullis House in the Houses of Parliament, London, SW1A 0AA.
Committee rooms and the timing of meetings are subject to change.
Those interested in attending a session should check the venue by contacting the House of Commons Information Office on 020 7219 4272 on the day before the hearing.
Map and directions
To attend evidence sessions in Portcullis House, use the main entrance located on Victoria Embankment.
It is advisable to allow about 30 minutes to pass through security checks.
Watch the evidence sessions online
The evidence sessions will be broadcast live on Parliament TV:
Further information
The Youth Select Committee mental health inquiry
This year the Youth Select Committee is embarking on an inquiry focusing on the topic of Mental Health identified as a priority and voted for by the UK Youth Parliament in the House of Commons in November 2014.
Find out more about the Youth Select Committee's inquiry into mental health:
What is the Youth Select Committee?
The Youth Select Committee is a British Youth Council (BYC) initiative and is supported by the House of Commons. It mirrors the UK Parliament Select Committee structure and gives young people the chance to scrutinise issues and hold inquiries on public matters they find important.