Young to get a say on shaping services

Roles for 14-22 year olds

Young people in Perth and Kinross are being encouraged to become a youth commissioner for mental health.

As part of the Scottish Government’s shaping of mental health services in Scotland, recruitment has begun for a new youth commissioner on mental health services between the ages of 14 and 22.

Up to 20 new commissioners will be recruited to help develop recommendations on how child and adolescent mental health services should be provided and what mental health services should look like in the future.

The young people involved will gather evidence, encourage debate and inspire conversation on mental health as well as advising government ministers on mental health and how it can be improved to better meet the needs of Scotland’s young people.

Maureen Watt, minister for mental health at the Scottish Government, said: “Often people develop long term mental ill health in their childhood or young adulthood, so it is very important that we identify the problem and tackle it as early as possible.

“Prevention and early intervention is a key part of how we approach mental health in Scotland and I want to encourage any young person with views or experience on this to seriously consider applying for the commission.

“We want to improve services and, vitally, strip away any stigma in experiencing mental ill health and seeking help. We want people to recognise that they need to care for their mental health as they would their physical health and I think the work done by the youth commission in mental heath will be one of the most important legacies of the Year of Young People in 2018.”

Louise Macdonald, chief executive of Young Scot, added: “The youth commission on mental health is an incredible opportunity for young people to take the lead and co-design solutions for Scotland’s mental health services alongside SAMH, the Scottish Government, front-line professionals and other young people.

“Young people across Scotland are passionate about mental health issues and the Year of Young People 2018 too provides a great platform to look at the topic of mental health.”

Applications for the youth commissioners for mental health opened earlier this week and will close on Friday, February 9. To apply visit www. young.scot/get-involved