Young people call for mental health funding protection

The committee, made up of 11 young people aged between 13 and 18, found that young people’s mental health services are underfunded and are not equal to those offered to adults.

Its report, launched today, recommends that local authorities ringfence funding for young people’s mental health.

It also calls for increased funding for services, as well as a greater focus on joint working and the introduction of specialist training for GPs.

"It is unacceptable for young people's mental health services to be deemed lower than a Cinderella service," the report states.

"We find that young people do not have equality with adults. The balance is wrong and inefficient. We recommend that the government increase levels and proportion of funding for young people's mental health services over the next parliament and encourage local authorities to ringfence mental health budgets for young people."

The report adds that young people should leave school with a good level of understanding of mental health, and those working directly with young people, such as GPs and teachers, should have "the appropriate level" of training and guidance to support them and signpost them to the right services.

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 Gymiah, 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."

Young people's mental health was chosen as the priority campaign of the UK Youth Parliament at its annual House of Commons debate last week.