Calderdale Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service has suffered funding cuts at a time of increased referrals due to rising rates of mental illness and self harm among young people in Calderdale.

In 2013, one in five of Years 7/10 had self harmed, with rates highest among year 10 girls (one in three of whom had self harmed). In 2012/13, Calderdale hospital admissions for self-harm among young people between the ages of 10 and 24 were worse than the England average. [info source: CMBC  Plan for Commissioning Services for Children and Young People in Calderdale 2014-16]

A recent report from West and South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Commissioning Support Unit (CSU) states that there is a high risk that the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Teams, run by the mental health Trust in Calderdale clinics since April 2013, may not be able to adequately meet patients’ needs. Continue reading →