Jess introduced the Motion and drew attention to her view of the lack of mental health provision services tailored directly at young people. Young people often suffered acute mental health problems due to the pressures of growing up, but these were often overlooked by society who tended to view adolescence as a care free and stress free time. There were concerns that poor mental health, stress and self-harm were seen by young people as the norm for their age group. Government funding cuts had led to further pressure on this area and there needed to be more services directed at young people who were often uncomfortable participating in services aimed at older people’s problems. Opposing the Motion, Ben Saunders felt that mental health services for young people were already well integrated and outlined the different levels of mental health response that existed currently. He felt that at this time of national austerity it was difficult to claim that further money should be spent on a particular age group and also outlined his view that rather than treating the symptoms, more should be done to invest in health, exercise, youth clubs, and general wellbeing for young people, which would prevent some of the mental health problems arising in the first place. A general debate followed during which a number of views were expressed, including concerns that adults did not know how to deal with young people’s mental health problems, contrasted with some views that young people should develop a more self-reliant attitude. On being put to the vote, the Motion was CARRIED. (ii) Youth Involvement should be more effort to actively involve – ‘there young people in Poole’s community life to prevent them feeling disconnected and to improve community cohesion’. Proposed by Elizabeth Harker – Seconded by Vicky Olive. Elizabeth put forward the Motion saying that there was a danger of disconnection for young people who felt shut out of society and disconnected from a society that was geared to adult concerns. This in itself could lead to a break down in community cohesion, more antisocial behaviour, vandalism, and other problems arising. In opposing the Motion, Jack Saunders outlined his view that young people are already heavily involved in society and formed their own community within the wider society. He noted the extremely strong community that young people built for themselves, both in traditional ways and through new social media. In the general debate, young people noted concerns over the number of young people held in custody who had already been failed by society. On put to the vote, the Motion was CARRIED.
Jess introduced the Motion and drew attention to her view of the lack of mental health provision services tailored directly at young people. Young people often suffered acute mental health problems due to the pressures of growing up, but these were often overlooked by society who tended to view adolescence as a care free and stress free time. There were concerns that poor mental health, stress and self-harm were seen by young people as the norm for their age group. Government funding cuts had led to further pressure on this area and there needed to be more services directed at young people who were often uncomfortable participating in services aimed at older people’s problems. Opposing the Motion, Ben Saunders felt that mental health services for young people were already well integrated and outlined the different levels of mental health response that existed currently. He felt that at this time of national austerity it was difficult to claim that further money should be spent on a particular age group and also outlined his view that rather than treating the symptoms, more should be done to invest in health, exercise, youth clubs, and general wellbeing for young people, which would prevent some of the mental health problems arising in the first place. A general debate followed during which a number of views were expressed, including concerns that adults did not know how to deal with young people’s mental health problems, contrasted with some views that young people should develop a more self-reliant attitude. On being put to the vote, the Motion was CARRIED. (ii) Youth Involvement – ‘there should be more effort to actively involve young people in Poole’s community life to prevent them feeling disconnected and to improve community cohesion’. Proposed by Elizabeth Harker – Seconded by Vicky Olive. Elizabeth put forward the Motion saying that there was a danger of disconnection for young people who felt shut out of society and disconnected from a society that was geared to adult concerns. This in itself could lead to a break down in community cohesion, more antisocial behaviour, vandalism, and other problems arising. In opposing the Motion, Jack Saunders outlined his view that young people are already heavily involved in society and formed their own community within the wider society. He noted the extremely strong community that young people built for themselves, both in traditional ways and through new social media. In the general debate, young people noted concerns over the number of young people held in custody who had already been failed by society. On put to the vote, the Motion was CARRIED.