‘Almost half of young people taking their own lives are not known to mental health services’ - report

South Lakes MP Tim Farron says a new report shows that not enough is being done to make mental health services available for young people.

The study, which was conducted by the University of Manchester, found that almost half (43%) of young people who took their own lives were not known to any service or agency.

Tim is campaigning for better mental health services in Cumbria and last week handed over a petition to Morecambe Bay CCG calling for the opening hours for young people's mental health services in the South of the county to be extended.

Currently, young people in the South Lakes can only access the specialist mental health crisis team from 9-5 on weekdays.

Tim said: "The findings of the report are heart-breaking, but sadly not surprising.

"When we commissioned our report into young people's mental health provision in South Lakeland we found that the biggest problem was that young people with mental health problems and their parents don't know where to go to get help in the first place.

"Access to these services for young people is absolutely crucial - and that starts with making sure that they aren't just available during 9-5 on weekdays."