The trouble with mental health

"More than half of parents in England have never spoken to their children about stress, anxiety or depression, a survey has suggested."

"A poll of more than 1,100 parents found that 55% had not spoken about the subject to their offspring."

"Of those, 20% said they did not know how to address the issue."

"The survey results have been released as part of a campaign, funded by the Department of Health, to break down the stigma associated with mental health."

"The poll, of parents to children aged between six and 18, was carried out by market research company Opinion Matters on behalf of the Time to Change campaign, which is being run by charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness."

"It also found that 45% of parents felt they did not need to have the conversation because mental health `was not an issue`."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-34943988

Parent bashing, instead of facing the patchy and inadequate provision of mental health services for young people.

 

 

Liz says: "To me as a parent it beggars belief that in an era where there`s so much understanding of the need to address young people`s mental health problems early on that a young person who presents at thirteen with very clear albeit complex symptoms can end up at seventeen with no prospect of taking part in a meaningful life."

SAI`s story has a more positive outcome.