We all need to help improve children's mental health

It is Children's Mental Health week next week, says Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor, who speaks for Newcastle Liberal Democrats on health issues. So it is timely that a recent report from a committee of MPs has found that only a third of children and young people with mental health conditions receive the treatment they need from the NHS.

The report stated that many are turned away because they are not ill enough. Others face long waits - and it could be years before that changes.

Prime Minster Theresa May and NHS England bosses have set out a vision for the health service that focuses on preventing ill health, which is welcome, but it's sadly lacking in detail about funding.

With one in eight five to 19 year olds said to have a mental disorder and an increasing number of 5 to 15 year olds suffering from an emotional disorder - currently 5.8 per cent - mental health issues are affecting the life chances of young people.

If not tackled, this will become a massive legacy which will bite us in the rear big time. In addition to the nation's responsibility, the question we all need to ask is what can we all do to improve the mental health of our relatives, friends and neighbours, and especially those who are young?

As the Liberal Democrats Parliamentary spokesman Norman Lamb MP said "We cannot let mental health slide down the agenda because of Brexit."