HOPEFULLY, many of you were aware that last week was Children’s Mental Health Week and it was great to see a plethora of activity and discussion to raise much needed awareness on this subject, but there is so much more that needs to be done.

According to NHS data, In England in 2020, one in six (16.0 per cent) children aged five to 16 years were identified as having a probable mental disorder, increasing from one in nine (10.8 per cent) in 2017. The increase was evident in both boys and girls.

Maths was never a strong subject for me, but I do recognise that the increasing mental health conditions in our young people, plus the continuing decline of suitable support (one of the many areas of our society impacted by austerity) equals a crisis.

I have seen first-hand how mental health affects our children and whilst there are so many magnificent local organisations, professionals and volunteers who give tirelessly to support our young people, they are struggling to cope with the demand.

The urgent need for the right level of support for our children with mental health challenges is of paramount importance.

The need is growing at a fast pace each day, even more so due to the impact of the pandemic.

If children suffering from mental health challenges do not get the right support when they are younger, this will have a huge detriment on them when they become adults, as the support is declining at an alarming rate for this category too.

It is fantastic to see campaigns like this taking place over a week, but it is vital that those children, who require it, get the support they deserve at all times.

Brian McDaid

Skipton

(Labour Party Parliamentary Candidate, Skipton and Ripon)