Two local MPs have been given a first-hand glimpse of the work being done in Lichfield to support young people facing mental health problems.

The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service's general manager David Pike and deputy manager Paul Andre with MPs Michael Fabricant and Christopher Pincher
The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service’s general manager David Pike and deputy manager Paul Andre with MPs Michael Fabricant and Christopher Pincher

Conservative duo Christopher Pincher and Michael Fabricant visited the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) at the Samuel Johnson Hospital last week.

The service sees young people from across the region, with a particular emphasis on supporting those on the autism spectrum who have no formal diagnosis.

Mr Fabricant said: “Over a third of the population will suffer mental health issues at some time in their lives. It is so important that problems be identified early and that is why the dedicated team at CAMHS play such an important part in young people’s lives.

“The diagnosis of autism is particularly important in order to avoid behavioural problems at school and I welcomed the opportunity to question the psychologists and psychiatrists at the Centre about this.

“Both Christopher Pincher and I are discussing these matters with ministers at the Department of Health.”

Mr Pincher added:  “CAMHS provide a vital service in the mental health care they give to young people.

“I have a number of constituent cases with them, especially around autism.

“I completely agree that mental health must be seen as equal to physical health and I am encouraged to see the plans and funding the Government are putting in place to achieve that.

“I currently have a number of different conversations ongoing with the Department of Health regarding services and I look forward to working with constituents to get this best for our community.”

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.

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Steve Norman
4 years ago

I’d love to know what action these MP’s are taking to address the concerns of the BMA expressed in their report last year called: “Lost in transit? Funding for mental health services in England”. They concluded that: “Data from FOI requests show that many CCGs [Clinical Commissioning Groups] are not increasing their spending on CAMHS. In a 2017 BMA survey of CAMHS professionals, 91% of respondents felt that CAMHS is poorly funded, and 58% felt that changes to CAMHS funding levels had made them less able to do their job.”

And to quote from a recent Young Minds report:

“We also know that young people with emerging mental health problems, who do not meet the threshold for clinical services, are often left with no help at all. This cannot be right.

The government’s recent plans to roll out Mental Health Support Teams in schools are a step in the right direction, but will cover less than a quarter of areas by 2022-3. And, after years of cuts, there is also a black hole in youth and community services that could provide essential early support.”

So there is more our MP’s can do than just a photo opp.