A GROUP of organisations came together with a Bolton MP last week to voice their concerns over the effect the coronavirus pandemic has had on young people’s mental health.

Yasmin Qureshi, MP for Bolton South East, hosted a virtual roundtable discussion with a number of groups last Tuesday to listen to concerns they have regarding the mental health of young people in the borough.

All in attendance emphasised that children and young people’s mental health has been severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns.

Gill Smallwood, chief executive officer at Fortalice, Daniel Proffitt, CEO at Zac’s Youth Bar based in Farnworth, Ansh Sachdeva, presidents of Bolton University Student Union, and Simon Booth, first team captain and youth coach at Farnworth Cricket Club all shared their experiences dealing with young people during the pandemic and the effects it has had on youths mental health.

Gill Smallwood described how “lots of children are trapped in dangerous homes with mental health issues” and how counsellors have seen an increase in self-harm amongst children.

She said their group had seen a massive increase in depression amongst both children and parents trapped in homes.

Daniel Proffitt of Zac’s Youth Bar said many issues surrounding body images and OCD had intensified over lockdown which added to young people’s anxieties.

SOCIAL: Zacs Youth Bar in Prestolee after youth club members helped with renovations in 2019

SOCIAL: Zacs Youth Bar in Prestolee after youth club members helped with renovations in 2019

“Pressure that has been put on the young people has been difficult, they have been under immense pressure to comply, despite not really understanding what’s going on,” Mr Proffitt said.

All spoke of the difficulties of getting used to running services online and how this had effected their turnout. All also emphasised how the absence of schools and university in Ansh’s case cut off a vital social link for many young people.

Ms Qureshi vowed to take the issues raised by the groups to parliament to make sure children’s mental health groups and services weren’t left behind by the coronavirus pandemic.