Students claim mental health provision is "ridiculous"

Tuesday 19 July 2022

Jersey’s Education minister says "it’s dreadful to hear" that students feel they are being let down by mental health experts in the island.

Deputy Inna Gardiner’s admission that more needs to be done to help youngsters follows the presentation of a student-led survey in a special States Assembly sitting.

The Jersey Youth Parliament is aimed at giving students aged between 13 and 18 a chance to air their views directly to States Members, to quiz Ministers, and to present their findings and recommendations.

Although during yesterday’s sittings students also got over their messages on climate change, and the school curriculum, it was the poor perception of mental health provision that seemed to shock those States Members present most.

Pictured: The youth parliamentarians shared their findings with States Members in a special sitting on Monday. 

According to the students’ survey of 288 young people, 36% of the respondents were having mental health issues at the time, 47% did not think the available support was adequate, and 22% did not know where to turn to for help. The survey found out the main causes of stress amongst youngsters were the uncertainty surrounding covid-19, and school, with issues of bullying and exam pressure.

Students claimed they knew of fellow classmates with "suicidal urges" being told there were six-month waiting lists before they could see a councillor, a situation one youth parliamentarian described as "absolutely ridiculous."

Equally alarming was that, according to youth parliamentarian Ruby Filleul, students were warning their friends "absolutely not to go to the States’ experts – CAMHS" – Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service - claiming they "were rubbish", and that going to see them was "only going to make things worse". 

Pictured: According to youth parliamentarian Ruby Filleul students were warning their friends ‘absolutely not to go to the States’ experts.'

It is not the first time the department has come in for strong criticism, and in February the service’s head, Dr Darren Bowring, announced a series of measures he aimed to introduce as part of Children’s Mental Health Week (7-13 February) to improve the service.

According to the States, CAMHS has seen a large increase in referrals, from 683 in 2020, to 855 in 2021. The CAMHS caseload at the end of 2021 was 933 children and young people. Despite the increase in demand for its services the department claims waiting lists have actually dropped.

But, students told States Members it wasn’t just waiting times that were alarming them. It was also how students were being treated, in particular the duplication of services. 

To get States Members to understand the point more, student parliamentarian Aarya Patil carried out an "experiment" and asked States Members "to close their eyes and think about their deepest secret… something you are scared to reveal perhaps… Now, open your eyes. What if I were to pick one of you to reveal your secret? What do you feel? Anxious? Nervous? The same feeling is experienced by a child, not once, but at least several times when they access mental support. This is because they are being seen by different health officials, and at each stage they have to share their problem with different strangers. The issue here is no continuity of care."

Pictured: To get States Members to understand the point more, student parliamentarian Aarya Patil carried out an "experiment".

Afterwards, the new Health Minister, Deputy Karen Wilson, who has worked in mental health, said the "experiment" had set her "heart beating". On hearing the evidence, she told the students it was clear those in authority were going to have to re-think how they deliver services.

The students believe three things need to be implemented: a fit for purpose children’s mental health strategy; in patient service for children with complex mental health needs; and continuity of care.  

Lisa Mansell, Senior Youth Worker and organiser, said after the event: “Our whole team are so proud of the Youth Parliament for their presentation yesterday. They’d spent a lot of effort in conducting research, and preparing for the event, and it really showed. They delivered really clear compelling speeches, and well thought out answers. “