PARENTS who want to see evidence of change in child mental health services are being invited to a carers forum next week.

Furness Carers is facilitating the event at Hindpool Community Centre in Nelson Street, Barrow, on Tuesday April 12, which brings together parents of children with mental health problems, teachers, commissioners of services and support groups.

The session will see professionals inform parents about planned changes and improvements to local services which have historically experienced many problems.

The event is a follow-up to a forum held in September , the first of its kind, when local priorities were discussed and parents came up with a list of things which needed addressing.

Attendees 

Among those due to attend April 12's meeting include Dr Andrew Brittlebank, medical director at Cumbria Partnership NHSFT, Anne Sheppard, strategic manager of emotional well-being and mental health services at Cumbria County Council, and Greg Everatt, commissioner at Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group.

County and borough Councillors as well as groups such as SAFA, Mind, Cadas, the Furness branch of the National Autistic Society and representatives of the Evening Mail's Healthy Young Minds campaign will be also be present.

Craig Backhouse, chief executive of Furness Carers, said: "I am pleased that Furness Carers are able to facilitate this follow up and feedback meeting following the successful carers forum held in September. That was the starting point with open and honest discussion and now we are reaching the next stage in this continual journey of working together to improve our community."

Michael Cassells, the forum facilitator and Barrow Borough councillor for Risedale, says parents are anxious to see some evidence of real change.

The forum expects news on the introduction of a preventative service , known as tier two, which parents at the previous forum pointed out was missing in Furness.

Also expected to be discussed is the setting up of an eating disorder service in the county.

Although autism is not a mental health condition, the forum is encouraging parents of autistic children to attend as seven in 10 children on the spectrum have a mental health problem.

Parents and carers wanting to attend the forum should call Furness Carers on 01229 822822 for information and to book a place.

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