Children Facing Long Delays for Mental Health Support

Too many children are struggling to access the NHS mental health support they desperately need. As waiting lists grow longer, many families are being directed to charities for help. Yet demand is so high that some young people are now facing wait times of over 12 months.

As Patron of Response, the charity to which many local children are referred, I see first-hand the immense pressure these organisations are under.

Within weeks of opening its dedicated wellbeing hub in Thatcham, Response reached full capacity. Since then, demand has continued to grow, as have wait times.

Many young people awaiting support cannot attend school. Therefore, delays in receiving an appointment can have a long-term impact on their education. That is why it is so important that access to mental health services is urgently improved.

A petition recently launched by a West Berkshire constituent, which calls for an inquiry into unacceptable delays within CAMHS, has now received over 30,000 signatures. This is a clear indication of how many families are affected.

If you would like to support the petition, you can do so here.

In the meantime, I will continue meeting with SEND and children’s mental health groups, as well as West Berkshire Council, to press for the action and investment needed to ensure every child can access timely, appropriate mental health support.