A report based on feedback from young people, parents and carers and health and care organisations in Birmingham and Solihull has revealed that improving access to mental health services as well as early help and prevention are vital to improving the lives of children and young people in Birmingham and Solihull.

The report, which was commissioned by the Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Autism Provider Collaborative as part of a drive to transform mental health care for children and young people, highlights the need to reduce wait times and improve support available to children, young people and families whilst waiting for care, with more online and digital resources to be made available.

There was also strong support for more focus on prevention and early help – both in responding to the mental health needs of children and young people more promptly when they need it most and offering more support to infants and parents, at the very start of life.

More than 200 people and 12 organisations across Birmingham and Solihull responded to a ‘call for comment’ on a new way of providing mental health services.  

Dr Fabida Aria, Consultant Psychiatrist and Executive Medical Director, said: “We would like to thank everyone that shared feedback on our plans. The key themes outlined in the report will form the basis of discussions around our priorities for action.

“In direct response to the comments around co-production and lived experience in the report and to ensure that we focus on the improvements that are most important to our young people, parents, carers and partners, we will be inviting them to co-produce the action plan that comes from these findings.

“There is some way to go before we can put the agreed actions into practice and see the benefits for our young people and their parents and carers – it will take time to get it right. And this is only part of the story – there are a number of initiatives taking place, both with our partner organisations and engaging with children, young people and parents and carers to improve children and young people’s mental health.

“However, we will ensure that we take every opportunity we can to collaborate and co-produce as we progress our planned improvements.”

The full report and a summary version are available to read on the NHS Birmingham and Solihull website.

If you would like the information translated into another language, or have any other queries on the report, please contact the Mental Health Provider Collaborative by email: bsmhft.jointcommissioningteam@nhs.net or call 07985 882137.