AM Voices His Concerns

CARL SARGEANT AM ALARMED BY CHILDHOOD DEPRESSION RATES

Carl Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside, is expressing alarm at new figures revealed by a Children’s Society survey which found that more than quarter of children aged between 14 and 16 reported that they felt depressed. Mr Sargeant said: “I have written to the Health Minister expressing my concerns and asking the Minister to explore how we can help Mums and Dads recognise the signs of depression in their children. Parents need to know where they can turn to for advice and support. “We also need to have the right support networks in place for the young people themselves. The Assembly Government recently published our strategy for school-based counselling across Wales, which I believe is a very positive step in the right direction.“The emotional wellbeing of children and young people is of utmost importance. Growing up today comes with a whole host of emotional, social, and psychological stresses and pressures, and the Assembly Government needs to take a lead in addressing this.”