On Monday, the Prime Minister announced plans to “transform” attitudes towards mental health as well as the services available to patients, with a particular focus on children and young people. This recognition for growing concerns around mental health is very welcome and has shed light on a complex and growing issue affecting millions of people across the UK, no matter what their circumstances which, until now, have been “dangerously disregarded”.
A recent report published by the Prince’s Trust, which gauged the feelings and outlooks of young people aged 16-25 from across the UK, produced some staggering results. For example, the report found that 18% of young people do not believe they can change their circumstances if they wanted to and 13% of young people believe their life will amount to nothing, no matter how hard they try. Other results suggest around half felt pressure in getting a job and stressed about their body image.
I know from my own experience that mental health is high on the list of priorities during constituency surgeries, and week after week I see the devastating affect mental health has on people’s lives; affecting their family relationships and creating financial hardship. A concerning picture has emerged of patients trying to access support, with several being sent far out of the county to access treatment; highlighting a lack of sufficient local services and severely reducing a patients chance of getting better without the support of their family and friends nearby.
That is why I contributed to a debate on Tuesday this week, concerning children’s mental health and wellbeing within schools. The debate received cross party acknowledgement from Members on all sides of the House, speaking in agreement that mental health and particularly children’s mental health must, and is beginning to be recognised. With figures showing that children spend a third of their time in schools, and with evidence that young people’s concerns are linked their future attainment, it is right that a starting point for raising children’s mental health, with the right support from the Government, is within the education system.
However, for anyone who has experience of mental health (1 in 4) will know that mental or neurological disorders have different triggers, effects and treatments for each individuals. In rounding off the debate, the Minister aptly referred to the “fog” when trying to identify and pinpoint the best treatment and support for those with mental health, by collecting robust evidence and delivering care where needed.
That is why, by not only putting mental health at the fore but by piloting new schemes, building partnerships across sectors and trialling new and speedier means of accessing support, the stigma and lack of understanding around mental health can be broken; to the benefit of improving treatment and prevention for patients. The hope is that, in time we will become better at recognising at extending a helping hand, to those with mental health.
Published in the East Anglian Daily Times