The new children’s commissioner for England has endorsed the Time to Mind campaign, calling the present state of mental health services for children “nothing short of scandalous”.
In her first public comment since taking up the job this month, Anne Longfield said that urgent action was needed to improve mental health provision and that she would use her office to fight for it.
“I regularly hear about children who cannot get the vital help and support they need and who have nowhere to turn,” she said. “That is why I am backing The Times’s campaign and manifesto. The system is not fit for purpose.”
David Cameron, the prime minister, said he hoped the campaign would help to raise awareness. “I am determined to see a culture change in how we think about mental health issues in this country,” he said. The Conservatives have not said if they would reform the system.
Ed Miliband, the Labour leader, said it was wrong that children’s mental health services received 6 per cent of the mental health budget when 75 per cent of illnesses started in childhood. Labour would train all teachers in child mental health so that they were equipped to identify, support and refer children with mental problems, he said.
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The cross-party appeal of the campaign was bolstered further by support from Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrat leader, and Norman Lamb, the Lib Dem MP. Mr Clegg said that too many children were being let down by the system. “I welcome the manifesto for keeping the momentum going and helping to break down the stigma around mental health,” he said.
Lawrence Dallaglio, whose charity The Dallaglio Foundation uses rugby to help to improve the lives of young people, often with mental health issues, said: “This campaign is an extension of that, so it is something that is very relevant to me and the foundation.” Sir Matthew Pinsent, the Olympic gold-medal winning rower, also gave his support.
Sir Clive Woodward, the former England rugby coach, said: “This is a massively serious issue that society has ignored for too long. A campaign to help receives my full support.”
Dame Esther Rantzen, founder of ChildLine, said the helpline increasingly heard from children grappling with depression and suicidal thoughts, eating disorders and those who self-harmed.
Camila Batmanghelidjh, the founder of Kids Company, said: “The Times will generate friends who care and who will bring about change so no child who is mentally ill has to suffer alone.
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Sir Anthony Seldon, a pioneer of emotional resilience training in schools, applauded the lead that The Times was giving. “Most adults in positions of responsibility do not want to know about this growing epidemic,” he said.