(Title Image: Senedd Cymru/Welsh Youth Parliament)
In a follow-up report (pdf) to their 2018 inquiry into children’s mental health (Mind over Matter), the Senedd’s Children & Young People Committee noted progress in addressing mental health in schools but warned that the pandemic risks increasing mental health problems as a result to disruption to school life.
It comes as a Welsh Youth Parliament inquiry (pdf) revealed that 61% of young people experience mental health problems at least once a week. Only 20% of parents and carers surveyed thought mental health services at their children’s educational institution was “very good”.
Some children were said to be waiting up to a year to access treatment following referral.
Chair of the Children & Young People Committee, Lynne Neagle MS (Lab, Torfaen) said: “Our original report said we were not willing to allow this issue to be passed on yet again to a future Committee with repeated conclusions of ‘more work to be done’. We intend to keep our promise to the people of Wales and do everything we can to ensure that the Welsh Government puts our recommendations into practice.”
Emily Kaye MWYP (Llanelli) said: “Mental health can affect anyone, and it is absolutely critical that those who need the support and guidance, are given the proper resources and means to do so.”
