Mental health support for young people across Cornwall
NHS Cornwall are investing in better access for children’s mental health problems and deliver more tailored support
Cornwall are investing in better access for children's mental health problems.
This week, NHS Cornwall is celebrating the range of mental health support available for children, young people and families.
It’s part of a month-long campaign by NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, in partnership with local NHS and community providers, that supports a national Mental Health Awareness Month in May.
"Support available for young people"
It comes as more people are seeking support following the pandemic.
Chief nursing officer at NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, Susan Bracefield, said: “People of every age need support with their mental health, and that’s why highlighting the support available for children, young people and families is so important.
“We understand that the increased need for mental health support, especially since the pandemic, has led to longer waiting times, which is why we are investing into more local and digital access to mental health support to increase our capacity."
The campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of mental wellbeing, educate the public, reduce stigma and promote support for those affected by mental health conditions.
"Longer waiting times"
Susan added: “We know we have more to do, which is why this year we are investing in better access for children’s mental health problems, as well as working closely with our community partners to deliver more tailored mental health support.”
Mental health support is available in a range of places, including schools, libraries and on the NHS Cornwall website where we’ve listed services available across the county.
Emma Rowse, chief executive officer of Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum, said: “The provision of mental health support goes far beyond NHS services and across the voluntary community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector there are a raft of high quality and professional services delivering support for children, young people and families.”
Training has been delivered to paediatric colleagues in local hospitals as part of the managing mental health in an acute setting work programme.
Mental health support teams have been made available to all primary schools across Cornwall with developed transition to secondary school support, part of a national expansion programme to reach more secondary school pupils by 2029.
Cornwall is continuing with a needs-led approach to neurodiversity, with the roll out of training and advice for parents and schools. This includes delivery of 30 primary schools (the Partnerships in Inclusion for Neurodiversity Scheme).