‘Watch out for signs of mental illness’

Young people have been urged to look out for signs of mental health
problems on the back of new research unveiled by health minister
Jacqui Smith.

The study shows that nearly nine out of 10 young people aged
between 15 and 21 know someone who has experienced a mental health
problem.

A third of the 1,000 young people surveyed know of someone who has
tried to commit suicide and a quarter expressed concern about the
mental health of a young person they know.

However, 97 per cent said their peers knew little about mental
health and that more information should be made available to
them.

The chief executive of children’s mental health charity Young
Minds, Peter Wilson, said the figures showed that young people were
more aware of mental health issues than had been previously thought
but young people and their parents needed to know how to help
friends who were struggling.

The study launches a Department of Health campaign to encourage
understanding and discussion of mental health problems among 14 to
21 year olds. 

– See www.readthesigns.org