Why we must act now to help young people with mental health issues during pandemic - the YEP says
Urgent early intervention is needed to ensure that the mental health of our city’s young children is not adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
It’s a stark warning on the front page today - but one that carries vital importance.
There is a very real fear that the voices of “generation lockdown” are forgotten as we continue to comprehend the changing world around us.
Children’s charity Barnado’s warns the impact of Covid-19 could be “catastrophic” for youngsters as they report that more than a third of children and young people are suffering increased mental health difficulties.
It comes just weeks after an investigation from the Yorkshire Evening Post warned that more than half of the weekly 4,000 calls to Leeds-based Childline were related to mental health during the pandemic.
As a city we need to put a protective arm around our children and make sure their tiny voices are heard loud and clear during this challenging time.