[Ammi]

...early intervention was always the key with children and mental health issues...schools used to have more involvement from social workers, from community nursing teams with mental health nurses..from psychologists etc...there used to be regular drop in clinics, where parents were able to discuss any concerns about their child..it’s been several years since any of those things have been accessible...and it is due to funding, sadly...I know of a child who after several suicide attempts, their GP said...‘it’s a phase, she’ll grow out of it..’...I do feel for the GP’s as well because their support networks have been cut with funding as well...they’re not qualified in mental health issues...it’s all very, very sad .....and why mental health issues are not getting the intervention required...