Access to mental health services for young people in St Helens

Healthwatch St Helens wanted to find out young people's experiences of accessing support for their mental health.

The Mental Health Services in St Helens are in demand. Young people and their parents/carers find the waiting times and then the eligibility to access the services frustrating, especially if they have other special educational needs. 

Young people and their carers said that they are not being routinely signposted and are therefore unaware of support and information that could be available to them. There are services, on-line support and information available. 

 A recurring theme shows that young people and their families don’t feel listened to and feel that staff can be patronising. They rate both their care and their experience of the services as poor. This was especially evident in those who are bounced around a number of services. There needs to be a better understanding of service eligibility by those who refer and there is a need to take more ownership of the wellbeing of the young person to ensure they get the support they need..