Young people experiencing mental health difficulties across Liverpool have been urged to seek help and support.
Earlier this month, it was revealed that almost 1,000 incidents were reported at King David High School in Wavertree, ranging from stress to self-harm and attempted suicide. October Wright, deputy head, told a city mental health and well-being task and finish group of the difficulty of accessing external mental health services to support those in need.
Currently, three education mental health teams operate across the city, which all primary and secondary schools can access this offer. This includes wellbeing weekly support and dedicated sessions from a specialist mental health practitioner for pre-referral consultation and support.
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A wide training offer is also open to schools. This work forms part of the Whole School Approach to Mental Health and Emotional wellbeing scheme.
Across Liverpool, the Young Persons Advisory Service (YPAS) provides three open access community mental health hubs for people between the ages of five and 25 with a walk-in service, a wellbeing service with a waiting time of one week or further counselling and psychological therapy sessions which can take upto 18 weeks.
Crisis care and treatment is provided by Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust immediately and within 24 hours. A routine pathway for treatment can take upto 21 weeks to arrange while urgent treatment is arranged within 14 days.
A YPAS spokesperson said: “We would urge any young person who is experiencing mental health difficulties to seek help and support. There are many ways to do this, from talking to a friend, parent or schoolteacher to accessing any of the many free tools and resources available online.”
The Liverpool Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) partnership consists of both NHS and third sector organisations that provide a wide range of services to address the mental health and emotional wellbeing difficulties of children, young people, parents, and families.
An update from the mental health and wellbeing in schools scrutiny panel will be heard by Liverpool Council’s education and skills select committee on Thursday. Scrutiny panels are appointed by select committees when it is determined there is a need for in-depth scrutiny to be undertaken on specific areas of service.
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