BY HANNAH GRAHAM

IT is now a sad fact that mental health issues are abundant in Dorset, especially among young people.

For many people, one of the real issues lies in education, whether it be the education for young people experiencing mental health issues, or young people living around people with these issues.

Most schools don’t offer a specific lesson or course regarding mental health and the steps to take when dealing with it.

Many young people don’t know how to react when they hear or see someone suffering from mental health issues, and those people affected don’t know who to talk to or the steps to take in order to get help.

This is something that in Dorset needs to change.

If people don’t get the key information that they need regarding mental health issues, that could lead to problems which could be ignored until it’s too late.

It’s key that young people all over the county get access to the right help and the right guidance in order to overcome and understand mental health issues.

This year elected members of youth parliament for Dorset are all very aware of the changes that need to happen within Dorset and are keen to start making those changes by conducting workshops and conferences with young people.

This process will be long but hopefully by the end of it, everyone in Dorset will be more aware of the issues and there will be a permanent system in place for future generations.