One in three young people miss out on vital mental health support
Kensington and Chelsea Council is investing in early intervention services to address the significant gap in mental health support for young people, with current average waiting times exceeding 300 days.
During a recent Full Council meeting, concerns were raised about the alarming statistic that only one in three young people in need of mental health support are actually receiving it. Ms. Mayar Abouamna, Deputy Youth Mayor, highlighted the prolonged waiting times, stating, With average waits now over 300 days, what specific funded action will this council deliver in the next 12 months to speed up access to mental health provisions for under-25s locally?
Councillor Lucy Knight, Lead Member for Adult Social Care & Public Health, acknowledged the severity of the situation, admitting, The figures you've quoted are deeply worrying. No one can deny that. Because behind every single one of them is a young person whose life has been put on hold and a family desperate to see them get the help that they need.
Councillor Knight explained that while many of the delays lie with NHS services, the council is actively investing in earlier support. This includes embedding mental health teams in schools and funding dedicated youth mental health workers. She also committed to raising the issue of long waits with the new chief executive of the Integrated Care Board.
However, Councillor Portia Thaxter criticised the council's current mental health services, describing them as poorly communicated and not integrated with NHS services.
She advocated for trauma-informed, community-based support
that is designed by and for young people.
The council's efforts to improve access include embedding mental health support teams in every school, funding dedicated youth mental health workers, and jointly funding services with the NHS to allow young people to access support quickly and anonymously.
Despite these efforts, the scale of the problem remains a significant concern, with the council acknowledging that these services do not replace specialist care but aim to provide earlier support. The commitment to addressing these long waits was reiterated, with the understanding that no young person should have to experience prolonged suffering while waiting for essential mental health care.
