Dear members

we have just received this fromn the national childrens bureau. If anyone is interested please contact Sonita at her details below


re:invitation to GPs and PCTs- Would you like help to build your capacity to meet the mental health and substance misuse needs young people?

There has been an increase in the recorded prevalence of both mental health problems and substance misuse amongst young people and in some cases the two are closely associated and interlinked. The combination and co-occurrence of substance misuse and mental health problems can make assessment, diagnosis and treatment highly challenging.

In response to this, National Children’s Bureau’s (NCB) ‘Young people, drugs and depression’ project aims to:
· Develop understanding of the links between drug use and depression among children and young people
· Identify key issues, challenges and opportunities in this area
· Share examples of good practice
· Support primary care services in recognising and supporting young people with these problems

An NCB survey sent out to GPs revealed that they would like guidance on how to engage with young people and a clear referral pathway to services. NCB would like to invite expressions of interest from GPs and PCTs to take part in the pilot phase of the project to identify ways of meeting these needs.

The first phase will involve an audit where key issues, challenges and opportunities with regards to the diagnosis, treatment and referral of children and young people suffering from depression and substance misuse problems are identified by GPs and PCTs.

The next phase will involve NCB supporting GPs and PCTs to address the gaps identified and build capacity to meet the needs of children of children and young people.

NCB will provide information, advice and support throughout the pilot.

Based on the findings from the pilot, NCB will develop a good practice resource, which will include a national referral pathway, to support GPs, PCTs and primary care mental health services to respond effectively to the mental health and substance misuse needs of children and young people.

GPs and PCTs interested in taking part in the pilot can register their interest or find out more information by contacting Sonita Pobi at spobi@ncb.org.uk or 0207 843 6315 for further information by 5pm on Friday 9th November.


I also have some extra documentation on this should you require it -- Jim