31/5/2006 - Workshop to develop support for young people's mental health

Young people who use emotional wellbeing and mental health support services in Cumbria will give their views about how they should be run at workshops in Penrith and Kendal on 1st and 2nd June.  

Parents, carers and support workers will also be attending to contribute to an important new plan for the county.  

In the past there have been a number of plans produced by different organisations but this one will bring together the full range of services, identify what the priorities are and how they will be met.  ‘The Strategy for Strengthening Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Support’ is part of Cumbria’s much larger Children and Young People’s plan to be launched shortly.

Many services are involved in supporting the emotional well-being and mental health of children and young people including educational staff, health visitors, the youth service, Connexions, voluntary organisations and specialist services such as Child Psychiatrists and Psychologists.

The eighty or so people taking part in the workshops will be asked what the issues are for them in terms of good mental health and emotional wellbeing and how the plan which is currently in draft form can be improved.

Anne Sheppard, the lead officer for Emotional Well-being for Cumbria County Council’s Children’s Services, said:

“It's important that so many services and organisations are involved in providing emotional wellbeing and mental health support to our children and young people, because an emphasis on good mental health and emotional resilience is pivotal to the welfare of all children.

“However, the most important people are the children and young people themselves and their parents, and carers.  I hope that involving service-users and their families in developing this strategy is the beginning of much closer working with people who need and use the services.  That way we can ensure that the plan is as effective as possible and people can judge how successful we have been at putting the plan into action when the plan is reviewed next year.” 

County Councillor Philip Chappelhow, cabinet member for Children’s Services, said:

“Strengthening support for young people in the areas of emotional wellbeing and mental health is a high priority for us.  This, along with closer working with Primary Care Trusts, will enable us to provide a much more consistent and comprehensive support service.”

Copies of the draft plan are available for comment by contacting Anne Sheppard at Anne.Sheppard@cumbriacc.gov.uk