Family Law

A Barnardo’s study reveals that two thirds of care leavers identified as having mental health needs were not receiving any help from a statutory service.

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'Our research shows a shocking picture of care leavers in need with no access to suitable mental health support. Young people who have been in care often experience poor mental health ranging from anxiety to serious problems following abuse or neglect. The Government must ensure these vulnerable young people receive the support they so desperately need when it honours its pledge to improve children’s mental health.'

• Embedding a mental health worker within leaving care teams
• Developing youth specific services for people into their early 20s
• Upskilling those in leaving care services to better understand mental health. 

'I started to cut myself at the top of my legs to try and make myself feel better. It worked for like five seconds, then I was left feeling angry and upset again. Then I started hearing voices in my head – I remember it clearly, voices telling me that I would die when I was 18. I was terrified. One day I decided I was going to end my life. I tried to hang myself but someone at the home burst into my room and cut me down. I was put on anti-depressants.

If it wasn’t for Barnardo’s I know I wouldn’t be here now. I’d be locked up, homeless or dead. Barnardo’s helped me to build confidence in myself and that in turn helped my mental health.'