DEPUTY Prime Minister Nick Clegg announced the Government’s planned £150million investment into youth mental health services at the Brent Centre for Young People.
The investment, which is set to be rolled out over a five-year period, is set to transform the care of children and young people with eating disorders and improve waiting times for treatment.
The BCYP serves the mental health needs of youngsters across London, offering psychotherapeutic support to those experiencing emotional and mental health difficulties.
A significant number of the charity’s young people have Irish heritage and the centre has offered them specific culturally sensitive support through the Irish Project for nearly 10 years.
Following the governmental visit, Dr Maxim de Sauma, BCYP CEO and Clinical Director, told The Irish Post: “We were delighted that the Deputy Prime Minister chose to announce the £150m investment at the Brent Centre for Young People. He met some of the young people who use our services, and was interested in their opinions on the importance of effective mental health support.”
He added: “We will continue to campaign for better funding for our services, and hope that the Brent Centre will benefit from this investment.”
Secured by Mr Clegg in the recent Autumn Statement, the newly announced mental health funding is part of an ongoing campaign by the Government to bring mental health services on a par with physical care.
It comes just a month after research revealed that an increasing number of young people, from as young as five, are being admitted to hospital for treatment of eating disorders,with those aged 14 to 25 most likely to be affected.
