WARRINGTON-based leading suicide prevention charity PAPYRUS says children and young people need help to heal after the trauma of lockdown.
The Prevention of Young Suicide charity says it hopes a government funding boost for mental health support will help many who are not getting the expert care they desperately need.
NHS England has announced an extra £40million to address the impact of Covid-19 and lockdown on children and young people’s mental health.
PAPYRUS says only high-quality care and professional support will save those who are struggling with life.
Ged Flynn, the charity’s chief executive, said: “PAPYRUS welcomes this funding for mental health support for children and young people across England and we hope it makes a real difference to them.
“It must be accompanied by a system-wide recognition that the needs of children and young people cannot only be met by providing new funding.
“Many children and young people will need time, quality care, space and support to heal and learn after times of trauma, periods of significant change and a lack of routine and normality such as we have all experienced in the last eighteen months.”
PAPYRUS warns of a post-lockdown legacy of anxiety and distress could affect a generation of young people for months and years to come.
Over the last year the charity saw a 25% increase in the number of calls, texts and emails to its confidential HOPELINEUK service.
PAPYRUS fears many vulnerable young people were denied the vital care and support they are used to during lockdown
Ged added: “We are always concerned by stories of young people who have died by suicide and the extent to which these often seem to include real issues of reduced access to quality health care that young people deserve.
“It is important to remember that while there is no reliable, statistical evidence of a link between lockdown and a significant increase in suicide, we do know more young people have been feeling lonely, distressed and struggling to cope with life.
“PAPYRUS stands ready to work with all services to ensure that any thoughts of suicide among our young people are not met with anything less than excellent care and effective support from the State and its partners when that response may be needed most.
“It is important that we all work together to keep our communities suicide-safe and that young people know they are not alone and that help is available.”
PAPYRUS has praised the courage and resilience of children and young people who continue to find the strength to contact its HOPELINEUK service.
For practical, confidential suicide prevention help and advice please contact PAPYRUS HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141, text 07860 039967 or email [email protected]
