COUNCILLORS have praised the work being done in the district to help young people dealing with mental health issues.

During Children’s Mental Health Week, Bradford Council held a meeting for Councillors to hear how young people are supported through a range of services, including mentor schemes in schools.

The joint meeting of the Children’s Services Scrutiny Committee and the Health and Social Care Scrutiny Committee heard from social workers, health bosses and a number of young people who both use the different services available in Bradford, and help their peers deal with mental health issues.

Members were told that the local child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) receives 613 referrals per quarter and currently has 781 children on its waiting list.

NHS 2019 GP Patient Survey taking place

Ali Jan Haider, Director Of Strategic Partnerships at NHS Bradford Districts Clinical Commissioning Group, told the committees: “We need to get people talking more, so young people can say to their families ‘I’ve got issues regarding my mental health’ just like they’d tell their parents if they had hurt their arm.

“We need to remove that stigma about mental health. We have to communicate to families that it is normal. Having mental health issues is not abnormal. We have to remove that stereotype.”

Projects discussed at the meeting included the Buddy Scheme run by Youth In Mind that sees young people partnered with a worker to support them through their mental health journey.

They also heard of work being done with Bradford park Avenue to help young people with mental health issues. And Councillors were told of work done in schools, including Titus Salts School in Baildon, to provide student mentors who can offer advice and support to other young people, who may not always feel comfortable talking to an adult.

Children attending the meeting spoke of how the services and support on offer had helped them become more outgoing and involved in numerous activities.

Councillor Tess Peart (Lab, Tong) works in a school, and said staff in schools were now much more aware of possible mental health concerns. She said: “Ten years ago you’d never think ‘that kid might be at risk of self harming.’ Now spotting the signs is second nature for people working with children.”

Councillor Ralph Berry (Lab, Wibsey) said: “This is the biggest look at mental health services for young people I have ever seen by this Council. This is really, really positive. If we get this right it can really make a difference.”

At the end of the three hours meeting, members agreed to write to all the young people who had taken part and thank them for appearing before the committee.