Published on: June 26, 2024
Compass CEO Rachel Bundock is among more than fifty signatories of a letter to political leaders demanding that children and young people’s mental health is prioritised.
A week before the General Election, the letter from members of the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition, calls on all political parties to substantially increase funding in the sector.
The signatories believe all political parties should
- Commit at least an additional £1.7bn per year for Integrated Care Systems to deliver a comprehensive mental health pathway for all babies, children and young people.
- Embed whole educational approaches to mental health and wellbeing across all education settings.
- Increase the provision of early intervention support in the community through the national roll-out of early support hubs in every local area.
- Bring forward reform of the Mental Health Act 1983.
Rachel said: “It was vital that, on behalf of Compass, I added our name alongside those of our partner providers.
“Being a member of the Children and Young Peoples Coalition is to be part of a collective voice of mental health providers who together are stronger in getting the key messages across to leaders and policy makers.
“Our role as a service provider is to give the Coalition and others the evidence of need alongside what works and what still needs fixing. Using our wealth of expertise and experience to help shape future legislation, strategy, policy and practice. It is our obligation to do this on behalf of children, young people and families.”
A new CYPMHC poll showed 59% of respondents feel that not enough has been done to prioritise children and young people’s mental health over the last decade. With this figure rising to 69% among young people aged 18-24. In addition, only 23% feel confident that political parties will prioritise children’s needs in the election.