Next Gov't must take this opportunity to fix our broken mental health system
National Autistic Society
Commenting on the Governments report on improving mental health services for young people, Mark Lever, Chief Executive of the National Autistic Society, said:
"Research shows that 7 in 10 children with autism have an accompanying mental health problem. Yet many parents say they struggle to get timely and appropriate support, in some cases having to travel hundreds of miles to access the right service.
"This report recognises these difficulties and puts forward promising proposals to bring down waiting times, address gaps in training for staff working with children and young people with autism and make sure appropriate emergency provision is available close to home. This last point is especially important to people with autism who often rely on routine and may experience setbacks in unfamiliar environments or without their established support network.
"Whoever forms the next government must take this opportunity to fix our broken mental health system for the benefit of all children and young people. It must implement the taskforce’s recommendations as a priority, ensuring it takes into account the unique and complex needs of children with autism."
