Young people send mental health manifesto to all MPs

The manifesto is being sent to all MPs today (6 July) calling on them to sign up to an early day motion supporting the manifesto and ensuring that policy documents such as the CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) Review are fully implemented. Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone is tabling the motion.

A panel of 250 young people with mental health problems has contributed to the document, which is written in their own words. Its recommendations include better training in primary and secondary schools to recognise and tackle problems, shorter waiting lists for CAHMS, and better services post-18.

Lucie Russell, director of campaigns at YoungMinds said that tackling problems early in childhood could save millions in future costs. "While there have been numerous policy documents published in the past few years, they haven't led to sufficient progress being made to young people's mental health services. We still hear from children and young people about long waiting lists, some over six months, and the acute lack of support teenagers have in school."

According to the charity, three children in every classroom have a diagnosable mental health problem such as depression, anxiety or eating disorders and around one in 12 young people self-harm.