John Healey says we’re experiencing an ‘unprecedented’ youth mental health crisis
It comes as
new analysis has highlighted the severity of the crisis in youth mental health
care under the Tories, with increasing numbers of people dying by suicide,
detentions under the mental health act rising, and more young people in crisis
than ever before.
Rishi Sunak
recently suggested that many people suffering mental health problems were just
experiencing "the everyday challenges and worries of life” and should not
receive medical support.
But, just
last year, John’s Schools Mental Report revealed every school that responded reported
an increase in the number of mental health cases they had to deal with and a
rise in anxiety issues for both students and staff.
John Healey
said: “I’ve been calling for an increase in mental health support for young
people for the past six years – when I carried out my first Schools Mental Health
report.
“Since then,
the situation has worsened with a record 780,000 children and young people across
the country having been in contact with mental health services over the last
year alone.
“It’s clear
to see we are experiencing an unprecedented crisis in mental health care, with
children and young people crying out for support.
"Instead
of attempting to cover up the scale of the problem, the next Labour Government
will give people the support they desperately need. We'll roll-out 8,500 mental
health staff to cut waits, put mental health hubs in every community and
support in every school, to help people get back onto their feet.”
Labour's
analysis echoes concerns made by a number of charities, experts and those
affected by mental ill-health. Last month the Children's Commissioner claimed
that children were being treated like 'second-class citizens' when it comes to
mental health care, with reports that children have to attempt suicide several
times before being able to receive mental health treatment.
Labour has
made tackling the crisis in mental health a cornerstone of their mission to get
the NHS back on its feet and make it fit for the future. The next Labour
Government will deliver 8,500 additional mental health staff, specialist mental
health support in every school and an open access mental health hub in every
community. This plan is funded by scrapping tax loopholes for private schools
and private equity fund managers.
