As part of Children’s Mental Health Week (4 – 10 February) children and young people from Edinburgh have been sharing their experiences of mental health services and giving their advice to The Youth Commission on Mental Health on what changes are needed to improve them.
Barnardo’s Scotland along with the Youth Commission on Mental Health organised a participation workshop in Glasgow involving children and young people supported by the charity. The group aged between 12 and 23 and representing services across Scotland included young people from Edinburgh, who shared their experiences, opinions and discussed mental health and wellbeing services and provision across the local authority area.
Mental health and wellbeing is a key priority for Barnardo’s Scotland, it is an issue that cuts across all of its services and impacts on almost all of the children and young people their frontline practitioners support.
Martin Crewe, Director of Barnardo’s Scotland, said: “We know how important it is to listen to and embed the views and experiences of our young people across all of our work.”
Young people engaged in a variety of workshops to discuss their experiences of mental health services; key issues when accessing services; and crucially what improvements need to be made.
On the topic of ‘what needs to change? Young people were very clear, ‘the key’ issues raised by the young people were the importance of skilled, trained professionals who are able to listen, provide non-judgemental support, and build strong, stable trusting relationships.
“There needs to me more staff you can trust that will be around and not leave constantly.” – participant –
Several young people highlighted the need for better provision within schools, including mental health being part of the Curriculum for Excellence and being taught in PSE; inclusion of mindfulness, coping strategies and how to manage strong emotions within education; and the importance of friendly, warm environments.
“No matter how many assemblies’ school has about mental health, it comes across as insincere; you need to have a good relationship first.” – participant –
When discussing barriers to accessing support, young people talked about not being taken seriously; not being seen as ‘ill enough’; not knowing how to talk about their situation; negative internal thoughts such as thinking nothing good will come from seeking support; fear that professionals will tell family members; fear of being dismissed.
“Feel like you were a burden at school, I had to downplay issues to make it ‘easier’ – if one more person tells me to drink water and exercise I might blow up.” – participant –
Several young people talked about services being ‘too clinical’ and almost all young people mentioned waiting times for all services and supports being too long, bringing home the importance of really listening to young people’s views.
Martin Crewe, continues: “It’s really important to give young people a voice and more important to listen to what they have to say – we’re really pleased to be able to mark Children’s Mental Health Week by giving a platform to our children and young people and allowing them to have their voices heard directly by the Youth Commission on Mental Health.
“The Youth Commission will deliver recommendations directly to the Scottish Government about what needs to change for mental health services for young people in Scotland and we are immensely proud that our young people have been given the opportunity to be a part of that.”
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