So child mental health services are failing. Why’s that then, Jeremy?

[Northerner]

Actions speak louder than words is perhaps the maxim that governments should live by; that governments should have as their desktop screensavers or written on Post-its on ministerial fridges. It came to mind when Theresa May made her Milibandesque inaugural speech as prime minister, and it came to mind again last week when Jeremy Hunt told us that the NHS is failing Britain’s young people on mental health. “Too many tragedies” occur because of weaknesses in the children and adolescent mental health services (Camhs), Hunt said.

It’s a popular opinion. So popular in fact, that people who work in Camhs have been saying it for years. Ditto the individuals who use the service, or would use the service if they were not languishing on waiting lists. Or those who are put off even trying to enter the system, or don’t know what help is available. Not to mention the parents and guardians of these young people.

Hunt says services need to intervene earlier. He is absolutely right. Will he tell us next that people need air to breathe and plants need water to thrive? And why then, has the government he is a member of, and the previous one, overseen the decimation of mental health services, and in particular, those dedicated to helping young people?

https://www.theguardian.com/comment...-camhs-jeremy-hunt-nhs-tragedies-funding-cuts

 

[mikeyB]

Anybody would think you have a low opinion of our esteemed Health Minister, Northerner. I'm shocked.

 

[Northerner]

Anybody would think you have a low opinion of our esteemed Health Minister, Northerner. I'm shocked.

As far as I can discern, the man has not a single redeeming factor, but is therefore probably the ideal figurehead for a government whose health policies possess no redeeming factors either 😡 Not only do they make no attempt to overcome clear and serious problems, they seek to engineer them at every opportunity

 

[Rosiecarmel]

The child mental health sector is absolutely appalling. Children get shipped all around the UK, miles away from their families to units where they know nobody and are expected to get better. I would recommend watching the channel 4 documentary Kids in Crisis. I'm not ashamed to admit that I cried watching that. It broke my heart...

 

[mikeyB]

Before anyone else cuts in, I agree with every word written so far on this thread (apart from my initial sarcasm, of course)

 

[Amigo]

The child mental health sector is absolutely appalling. Children get shipped all around the UK, miles away from their families to units where they know nobody and are expected to get better. I would recommend watching the channel 4 documentary Kids in Crisis. I'm not ashamed to admit that I cried watching that. It broke my heart...

Totally and absolutely agree Rosie. It's a shameful shambles and not much better for adult mental health services.