Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople

Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Mental Health, Wellbeing and Welsh Language – in the Senedd at 2:43 pm on 20 January 2021.

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Photo of Rhun ap Iorwerth Rhun ap Iorwerth Plaid Cymru 2:43, 20 January 2021

(Translated)

I do look forward to hearing something on a far greater scale with far more urgency. Over a period of years in reports from Senedd committees and from other stakeholders we've seen a great deal of evidence of where we're not getting things right in Wales in terms of assisting our young people with mental health problems. One of the problems is that people who don't fit the narrow medical model of an urgent problem can't access the support that they need. They're turned away from treatment or their treatments is concluded too soon. You've referred to earlier intervention and that is crucial. But another thing that works—and the evidence demonstrates that, I believe—is when a young person, having had early access to services, can keep that connection, can build that relationship with the counsellor over a longer period of time. So, how are your plans for changing the way in which services are provided and funded going to allow and, indeed, promote that kind of longer term relationship between the young person and those providing support?