Let's have a joined-up action plan for young people's mental health

A young woman highlighted that point last month when speaking at the launch of the MindEd support programme (MindEd.org.uk). She had struggled with depression as a teenager when she changed schools but nobody noticed how withdrawn she had become or how difficult she was finding it to concentrate on her studies. Luckily, she found support before things deteriorated. But many don't.

A study conducted to coincide with the MindEd launch found that 38 per cent of adults didn't know what signs and symptoms to look out for, and where they did, 51 per cent said they were worried about raising the issue for fear of being mistaken. This causes many children and young people who suffer with mental illness to slip through the net and not get the help they desperately need. To put this right, we need to tackle both sides of the issue: we must get better at recognising the risks and danger signs; and provide the mental health support and services to prevent or rapidly treat the problem.