THOUSANDS of children, young people and adults with serious mental health conditions are waiting months for support, struggling for far too long to get the help they need.

In my constituency surgeries, as well as in emails and letters, I regularly hear harrowing stories of the lack of support. So, I was very pleased to hear that the government is shifting from a system that waits for diagnosis before offering support to one that provides help earlier, based on need.

The recently published Fonagy Review shows that mental distress among children and young people has increased substantially, and we need to respond to that reality. Early support can help young people stay in education, enter work and remain connected to their communities. Diagnosis remains important and will continue to be available where clinically appropriate, but it should not be the only route to support.

This Labour government’s new Mental Health Strategy will put prevention and early intervention at its heart, helping people get support before they reach crisis point. We are expanding support in schools, colleges and communities so help is available closer to where people live and learn.

The government is taking action to reduce waiting times and improve access to mental health support at every stage of life. We are rolling out Mental Health Support Teams to every school and college by 2029 and investing in Early Support Hubs across the country. We are backing schools with specialist expertise and additional support so children can get help earlier without unnecessary delays.

The Fonagy Review also found that while referrals and diagnoses for ADHD and autism have risen sharply, prevalence appears broadly stable, underlining the need for a wider approach to support. People should have confidence that any ADHD or autism diagnosis they receive is accurate, high quality and based on robust clinical evidence. We will strengthen oversight and regulation of ADHD and autism assessment services, whether provided through the NHS or independent providers. We will work with regulators to tackle poor practice and review advertising that may encourage people to seek unnecessary assessments.

Alongside earlier intervention, we are investing in more community mental health services, with 159 new mental health centres and emergency departments being rolled out. This is about ensuring people get the right support, at the right time, in the right place, while protecting specialist services for those with the most severe needs. Mental health services need to focus not just on diagnosis, but on improving people's wellbeing, life chances and ability to participate in work, education and community life.

The government's reforms are designed to build a more preventative, responsive and sustainable mental health system for the future. I have first-hand experience of the challenges of both mental health issues in young people as well as neurodivergence. I completely understand just how exhausting and soul-destroying the process to get the support that our young people deserve is.

Young people’s mental health is always going to remain as one of my top priorities. So, I am incredibly encouraged by this Review and the commitments that the government is making from it.