The home affairs select committee heard that a significant proportion of young people involved with gangs and youth violence have undiagnosed mental health problems.
Charlie Howard, who founded community-based mental health charity Mac-UK, told the committee that existing mental health services are not configured for young people living chaotic lives and who have a mistrust of professionals.
“I think the services that we provide work for some young people but my experience and research shows they are absolutely not working for young people who are gang involved,” Howard said.
“Often these people have brilliant relationships with professionals on the front line such as youth workers, support workers, and others. They trust them, yet those workers don’t have the resources to begin to address mental health needs.
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