05.07.13
Lack of mental health support for children ‘unacceptable’
A new online counselling support service will be available for young people aged 11-17, launched by mental health charity MindFull.
One in five children have symptoms of depression, and 32% have thought about or attempted suicide before they were 16, a new report shows.
The service will provide free online counselling with support and advice for mental health problems. MindFull will also educate young people about how to cope with mental health issues through training in schools.
Emma-Jane Cross, CEO and founder of MindFull (part of The BB Group) said: “Too many children who try to speak out about the way they’re feeling are being let down or simply ignored. It’s unacceptable that so many are having to resort to harming themselves on purpose in order to cope, or worse still are thinking about ending their own lives. Early intervention is proven to help prevent adult mental health problems, so swift action must be taken now if we are to avoid a legacy of serious long-term mental illness.
“MindFull is a direct result of the feedback that we have been given by thousands of young people in the UK, who tell us they want the flexibility and convenience of an online service.”
MindFull is calling for mental health to be embedded as a core theme in the national curriculum.
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