New bid to improve youngsters’ mental health
Renfrewshire Council has teamed up with a children’s charity in a bid to improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people in the area.
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategic Partnership with Barnardo’s Scotland launched at Johnstone Town Hall.
It aims to tackle the causes and symptoms of mental health, focusing on prevention and early intervention, by reducing the risks so all children and young people have improved life chances and are more able to fulfil their potential.
Input from children and young people, practitioners and partners in Renfrewshire will drive the initiative.
Samantha King, Barnardo’s Scotland’s programme manager for mental health and wellbeing, said: “Mental health and wellbeing is one of the major public health challenges facing our generation.
“The number of children and young people with mental health and wellbeing issues is increasing and services providing support are struggling with capacity to manage the ever increasing referral numbers.
“This partnership aims to improve fundamental social and economic structures in the local community, order to decrease stresses and barriers and improve supports that allow young people in Renfrewshire to achieve their full potential.”
Earlier this year, Barnardo’s Scotland ran consultation workshops and focus interviews with over 70 children and young people from the local area; over 65 practitioners, and 26 strategic partners across Renfrewshire, asking for views on mental health and wellbeing services and supports, identifying good practice and where there were gaps.
The workshops identified aspects of life that can cause mental health in young people; where service provision could be implemented early to tackle those areas; looking at and using services that may already be in existence in the local area, and building on local assets and strengths.
Further workshops are planned which will give youngsters the opportunity to present their views working with practitioners and in peer groups.
Martin Crewe, director of Barnardo’s Scotland, said: “I’m delighted that we are launching this new strategic partnership in Renfrewshire.
“Barnardo’s Scotland chose to focus on Renfrewshire as one of only three locations across the UK.
We have worked with the council for over 20 years delivering a whole range of services to children and families.”
Councillor Jim Paterson, depute council leader and convener of Education and Children’s Services at Renfrewshire Council, added: “The support young people receive now will have a lasting impact on them, so it’s vital that all sources of mental health support are relevant and tailored to the needs of every individual.
“We’re looking forward to developing this partnership and to working with Barnardo’s Scotland to improve life outcomes for young people across Renfrewshire.”
The support young people receive now will have a lasting impact on them