'Shattering stigma starts with simple conversations': tackling the child mental health crisis

'Shattering stigma starts with simple conversations': tackling the child mental health crisis From online counselling to a texting service offered by school nurses and free wellbeing courses, providing support for young people needn’t break councils’ budgets. Sarah Johnson reports on a roundtable discussion

Public concern around child and adolescent mental health is at an all-time high. The prime minister, Theresa May announced in January her intention to better identify and help the growing number of young people in schools who are at risk of developing mental health issues. Prince Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, meanwhile, are using their profiles to convince the public that “shattering stigma on mental health starts with simple conversations”.

And yet, despite growing awareness of the issue, child and adolescent mental health services (Camhs) are under an increasing amount of pressure. Healthcare professionals bemoan a lack of resources and staff while the health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, has described Camhs as the “biggest single area of weakness of NHS provision”. Continue reading... The Guardian

See also:

• How schools are dealing with the crisis in children’s mental health The Guardian
• Children need to be in the right mental state to learn effectively The Guardian
• Growing up transgender: ‘I wish I could have come out younger’ The Guardian
• Supporting LGBTI pupils: 'It's important a school is ready for anyone' The Guardian
• Social media and bullying: how to keep young people safe online The Guardian