Tim Pushes For Better Mental Health Provision

Tim Farron MP met last week with Helen Johnstone from CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) and Lyn Moore from Cumbria Partnership NHS Trust to push for better mental health provision in Cumbria.

Tim welcomed the news that CAMHS waiting times are now falling in South Cumbria, and each child referred urgently to CAMHS is being triaged within 24 hours to decide the appropriate form of care. However, he insisted that there was still a long way to go and he would continue to campaign for better mental health provision.

Tim recognised the significant reduction to a four week waiting time for routine CAMHS referrals as an improvement, but argued that this still needs to be reduced further to ensure that vulnerable young people are given the support they need. With CAMHS staff numbers on the increase, it is hoped that waiting times will continue to fall.

Ideas for other local initiatives were also discussed at the meeting, such as a parent-child support group in Kendal with the support of groups like the Youth Council and the Brewery Arts Centre.

Tim commented: "This was a constructive meeting and it was good to hear about the ideas that CAMHS has for improving mental health services for young people with complex mental health needs.

"Mental health has been overlooked for far too long. The Liberal Democrats managed to get it on the agenda during the last parliament, but there is still a lot of work to do.

"I will continue to push with all agencies for better mental health provision at all levels here in Cumbria, so that young people are able to talk about their mental health and get quick access to the services they need."