9. Short Debate: 'Listen to us. Support us.': The need to ensure access for young people to mental health support

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:18 pm on 3 November 2021.

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Photo of Lynne Neagle Lynne Neagle Labour 6:18, 3 November 2021

Thank you, acting Llywydd, and can I thank Rhun for bringing this debate today and for sharing with us the views of his constituent, Gareth? I very much welcome that, and I'm sure Gareth is very pleased that you've been able to raise his concerns in the Senedd. I'd also like to thank all the other Members who have spoken today.

Nothing is a bigger priority for me than protecting, improving and supporting the emotional and mental health of our children and young people, and my focus is in three key areas: prevention, early intervention and strengthening specialist services for those young people that need that level of support. But to do this effectively, it does absolutely need a cross-Government and multi-agency approach, and I am determined to play my part in driving this agenda forward, and indeed am already having very positive discussions with colleagues across Government about how they can contribute to this agenda.

Rhun is absolutely right. Listening to young people with lived mental health experience is crucial, and we do have robust mechanisms in place to support this. This includes with our national youth stakeholder group, which ensures that the work of our whole-system approach programme is informed by the voices of children and young people. I take every opportunity that is presented to me to listen to the voices of children and young people, exactly as I did when I was Chair of the committee, and I will continue to do that, including when our new Youth Parliament is elected. Health boards also have arrangements in place to ensure that young people have the opportunity to inform and shape services and support.