Inquiry to explore young people's mental health provision
Adam Offord
Monday, April 27, 2015
An inquiry into mental health issues faced by young people has been launched by the British Youth Council's (BYC) youth select committee.
The committee, made up of 11 young people aged between 13 and 18, will look at what can be done to prevent stigma and discrimination towards young people suffering from mental health issues and the impact it has on their education.
The inquiry will also look at the quality and impact of information online and changes needed regarding the provision of mental health services for young people.
Rhys Hart, chair of the committee, said: “Mental health is a sensitive and important topic for young people, ranging from stress to suicide and school support to hospitalisation.
“To investigate this, the youth select committee will need to demonstrate care and capability in its approach.”
Mental health was chosen as the subject of inquiry after the UK Youth Parliament voted it as a priority campaign in November last year.
Hart added: “I am absolutely positive that we will create an extensive and strong report fed by diverse pieces of evidence to be able to develop considered recommendations to the government.”
The committee is calling for any written evidence to be provided by 12pm on 22 May.
Oral evidence sessions will be held in the House of Commons in June and July.
Recommendations will then be published in a report later in the year and the government will be invited to make a formal response.
