BY ARCHIE ROWELL

WE may now accept the existence of mental health in ourselves, but we lack the knowledge to recognise the early warning signs of illness and when intervention is needed.

I believe that a good line of communication is vital to all young people who are suffering, and it is essential to dispel the myth that mental health issues reflect ‘being weak minded’ or ‘attention seeking’.

Simply listening to a young person who is experiencing mental health problems and not judging them can make a massive difference.

Unfortunately, there is huge pressure on young people to ‘grow up’ more quickly than in previous generations.

There are obviously many reasons for this including the birth of social media, the dark reaches of the internet and cyber bullying.

Receiving help in any way possible can improve the lives of many young people and put into place the building blocks for a happier and more successful future.

Drugs can often help to alleviate some distressing symptoms and can be a quick fix in the short term, but doling out pills isn’t necessarily the answer.

Workshops promoting wellbeing and knowledge in schools and the wider community, self-help programmes promoting independence, talking therapy, and appropriate professional help when it is needed are all positive alternatives.

Sadly, youth services are being cut and waiting lists are far too long at present. We must hope the government’s pledge to prioritise mental health in the young is genuine and is given the resources it so desperately needs.