YoungMinds launch participation project in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the UN convention on the rights of the child
YoungMinds Very Important Kids (VIK) project, the voice of young people’s mental health and wellbeing will today be rolled out to all the English regions, so that it will reach out to thousands of young people over the next four years.
The project born out of article 6 of the UN convention on the rights of the child (UNCRC), that Governments should ensure children survive and develop healthily, will be launched today in celebration of the UNCRC’s 20th anniversary. YoungMinds VIKs will be discussing whether participation works at CRAE’S national conference ‘Celebrating great achievements -or missed opportunities?’ and will be taking part in a celebration of the UNCRC 20th anniversary hosted by 11 Million and the Department for Children Schools and Families.
The Big Lottery funded project which is employing nine new regional officers and more VIK members will offer training in participation to young people and professionals across the regions, and facilitate advocacy for group members needing to access support. The regional officers will also raise awareness of young people’s issues and concerns, will consult with services and make recommendations to promote best practice in child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS).
Jane Bostock, YoungMinds Participation Manager said: “This project will enable us to ensure young peoples voices are heard in all areas of mental health policy. We can now support the development of a network of children and young people’s participation in CAMHS across the country and expand on VIKs work, which has already resulted in extraordinary change to the Mental Health Act ensuring young people under 18 who need to be admitted to hospital will be treated in an environment which meets their needs.
“Involving young people in service design, in professionals training as well as their own treatment means we can increase the efficacy of our services as well as developing young people’s self esteem and empowerment. If we want to improve children’s mental health and wellbeing services we need to ask young people what it is that will help them. It is no longer good enough for professionals and policy makers to presume they know what young people need.”
ENDS
For immediate releases: 20th November 2009
Notes to editors
1. YoungMinds is the UK’s leading charity committed to improving the emotional well being and mental health of children and young people and empowering their parents and carers. www.youngminds.org.uk
2. For further information please contact Hannah Smith on 0207 336 1451 or 07896532529 or email Hannah.smith@youngminds.org.uk
