Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales Joyce Watson is concerned by a Children’s Society survey where more than a quarter of children aged between 14 and 16 reported that they felt depressed.
Mrs Watson, who is Vice-Chair of the Assembly cross-party group for Looked After Children said:
“It is worrying that over a quarter of the young people in this survey felt depressed, though unfortunately not surprising with the pressures so many of them face.
“Mums and dads need the confidence and skills to recognise the signs of depression in their children, and they need to know where they can turn to for advice and support.
“We need to have the right support networks in place for the young people themselves. The Assembly Government recently published our strategy for school-based counselling across Wales which I believe is a positive step forward.
“The emotional wellbeing of our children and young people is vital. Growing up today brings a wide range of stresses and pressures, and the Assembly Government must play its role to tackle this.”
12th May 2008
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