A plan to improve young people’s mental health has been officially approved by health and care leaders in the city.
The Future in Mind strategy sets out a five year plan explaining how NHS services, Leeds City Council, and the local community will work together to improve the emotional and mental health of children and young people in Leeds, from birth to 25 years old.
The strategy focuses on seven priorities, which are based on data and evidence, the voices of children and families, and best practice. These priorities include: prevention, support, inclusion, family support, health inequalities, the impact of trauma, and the transition from young people to adult services.
The key areas requiring a specific focus over the next five years will be:
- Strengthening young people’s experience of transition into adulthood, ensuring they have the support they need.
- Strengthening and developing the city’s response to children and young people who have experienced trauma.
- Reducing health inequalities.
Lanre Adeleye, MindMate Ambassador, said: “I think it’s extremely important that young people’s voices are heard when it comes to social-emotional wellbeing. Especially with the pandemic, it’s important we address this issue head-on and the way this plan has been co-created with young people is one of many steps forward we are making to address the mental health of young people.
“Over the past year, one thing coronavirus has taught us is that mental health is very important and that we need to ensure that vulnerable children and young people have the right access to support in our city.”
Councillor Fiona Venner, Leeds Executive Board Member for Children and Families, said: “Children and families, and professionals have come together in partnership to develop this strategy as a comprehensive approach to improving the social, emotional and mental health of children and young people in Leeds. We are committed to continuing to work together to make improvements, too. This includes making sure the support needs of parents and carers are met; they are the bedrock of all our work.
Tim Ryley, Chief Executive Officer of NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We are dedicated to ensuring that children have the best start in life; we know just how important the first 1001 days of life are and how when we get this right for children, we improve the outcomes throughout the life course. Seamless and well-supported transitions to adult services are also vital and are committed to improving this area.
“We would like to thank those involved in bringing this work together and look forward to continued work in partnership to improve outcomes for children and young people.”
Notes
Future in Mind strategy
The new Leeds Future in Mind strategy can be found here.
Mental health support
For more advice and information about the local mental health support available for children and young people in Leeds, visit the MindMate website at mindmate.org.uk/.
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Issued by the communications team at NHS Leeds CCG. You can contact the team on 0113 84 35528 or 0113 84 35470. Alternatively, please email us: [email protected]