PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
NEW MENTAL HEALTH LEGISLATION FOR CHILDREN (8 April 2019)

That this House agrees with the Prime Minister that the state of mental health legislation as it stands constitutes a burning injustice to people living with a mental health illness and notes her intention to introduce a Bill in 2019; further notes that every year one young person in ten experiences a mental health problem, that severe and persistent problems starting before secondary school which go unsupported can have a long term impact on children's mental health and life chances, that young people in the youth justice system are three times more likely to experience a diagnosable mental health condition than children who don't offend, that 75 per cent of adults with a diagnosable mental health problem experience the first symptoms by the age of 24; asserts that new mental health legislation must focus on the needs of children, invest in a properly qualified workforce, ensure policy is informed by the best available evidence, be adequately funded, recognise the needs of parents and carers; and calls upon the Government to include a new Mental Health Bill in the next Queen's Speech that focuses on the needs of children.

Sponsored by:
Steve McCabe (Labour)