Youth Select Committee publish young people's mental health report
17 November 2015 (updated on 17 November 2015)
Youth Select Committee publishes its report on 'Young People's Mental Health' today. The report calls for end to ‘cinderella service’ mental health provision for young people.
The report, launched as part of Parliament Week, concludes that mental health services for young people are critically underfunded and that much work is needed to break down the stigma associated with mental health problems. The enquiry was triggered after the issue topped a British Youth Council poll of 968,942 young people in the UK.
Recommendations
Evidence was gathered from a range of witnesses, including charities, young people, academics, Ministers and health and education professionals. The Committee offers recommendations across three key areas: funding and the state of services, a role for education and awareness, stigma and digital culture.
Rhys Hart, Chair of the Youth Select Committee said:
“Our extensive investigation into young people’s mental health has given the committee insights into areas of improvement for mental health services. From the funding void, to a lack of cultural awareness, we have discovered a variety of issues which must be acted on without delay. With the active support of Ministers Alistair Burt and Sam Gyimah, the committee believes our recommendations can make a fundamental change in the foundations of the UK’s mental health provision and go even beyond that. The committee is very keen to hear the Government’s response to our recommendations."
The Youth Select Committee
The Youth Select Committee has eleven committee members aged 14-18, and includes Members of the Youth Parliament (MYPs), youth councillors, a young mayor and one elected representative from each of the devolved nations. It is a British Youth Council initiative, supported by the House of Commons.
‘Young People’s Mental Health’ was chosen as the priority campaign of the UK Youth Parliament at its annual House of Commons debate in November 2014, and the topic was chosen again as a priority in this year's debate on 13 November.