New plans to combat mental health problems in Leeds

Health chiefs in Leeds have approved a plan to combat mental health problems among the city’s young people.
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A meeting of Leeds City Council’s Health and Wellbeing Board heard about NHS and council plans to help tackle health inequalities and provide extra support over the next five years for young people who suffer from mental health problems in the city.

The Future in Mind strategy sets out how services will work together to improve the emotional and mental health, from birth to 25 years old.

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Leeds NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said it wanted to “strengthen young people’s experience of transition into adulthood”, adding it would “strengthen and develop the city’s response to children and young people who have experienced trauma”.

Mental health services could soon be improved for younger people. (Credit: PA)Mental health services could soon be improved for younger people. (Credit: PA)
Mental health services could soon be improved for younger people. (Credit: PA)

Lanre Adeleye, ambassador for NHS MindMate, said: “I think it’s extremely important that young people’s voices are heard when it comes to social-emotional wellbeing. Especially with the pandemic, it’s important we address this issue head-on and the way this plan has been co-created with young people is one of many steps forward we are making to address the mental health of young people.

“Over the past year, one thing coronavirus has taught us is that mental health is very important and that we need to ensure that vulnerable children and young people have the right access to support in our city.”

Coun Fiona Venner (Lab), the council’s executive member for children and families, said: “Children and families, and professionals have come together in partnership to develop this strategy as a comprehensive approach to improving the social, emotional and mental health of children and young people in Leeds.

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“We are committed to continuing to work together to make improvements, too. This includes making sure the support needs of parents and carers are met; they are the bedrock of all our work.”

Tim Ryley, chief executive of Leeds CCG, said: “We are dedicated to ensuring that children have the best start in life; we know just how important the first 1,001 days of life are and how when we get this right for children, we improve the outcomes throughout the life course. Seamless and well-supported transitions to adult services are also vital and are committed to improving this area.

“We would like to thank those involved in bringing this work together and look

forward to continued work in partnership to improve outcomes for children and young people.”

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Coun Fiona Venner is standing as the Labour candidate for Kirkstall in the local elections on May 6. Other candidates standing in that ward include:

Reiss Capitano – Conservative Party

Thomas Alfred Edwards – Liberal Democrats

James Alan Ellis – Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition

Victoria Helen Smith – Green Party

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