Keighley and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore has hosted a mental health forum in collaboration with Dr Caroline Rayment, GP and clinical lead for the Wharfedale and Silsden Community Partnership, to discuss tackling children and young people’s mental health challenges in the Ilkley, Wharfedale and Craven areas.
Held at the Clarke Foley Community Hub, the forum brought together professionals from the mental health, wellbeing and education sectors. The discussion centred on the specific challenges with mental health in children and young people in the local area, and how the community can work together to better support them.
Dr Laura Spells, Specialty Doctor at the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) for North Derbyshire, featured as guest speaker.
Formerly a GP, Dr Spells has become passionate campaigner for a smartphone-free childhood and advocates for better education to help people manage a healthy balance with technology.
Her presentation explored the significant increase in smartphone and social media use amongst young people in recent years, and the profound impact this is having, and will likely continue to have, on their mental health and wellbeing.
Nearly a quarter (24%) of 3-4-year-olds and 38% of 5-7-year-olds in the UK have their own smartphone. By age 12-15, studies have shown that up to 87% of children have a social media account, despite many platforms requiring a minimum age of 13.
Excessive social media use (3+ hours daily) is linked to higher mental health issues. For instance, 27% of children spending 3+ hours on social media report mental ill-health symptoms, compared to 12% for non-users.
Following the presentation, a panel Q&A discussion was chaired by Mr Moore, featuring five expert panellists from the mental health, wellbeing and education sectors. The panel addressed a wide range of questions on the issues affecting mental health in children and young people, the gaps in services and support available, and how schools and parents can be better engaged with to support those in crisis.
Panellists included Emma Pears, Founder and CEO of SELFA Children’s Charity; Nina Dobson, Headteacher at Burley and Woodhead CE Primary School; Rachel Parsons, Integrative Psychotherapist and SEND consultant at Orchid Practice in Ilkley; Helen Ioannou, Director for Children, Young People and All Age at Bradford District and Craven Mind; and Rosie Porter, a registered Mental Health Nurse at Wharfedale, Airedale and Craven Alliance.
Also present throughout the event were stalls from local mental health and wellbeing organisations, giving attendees the opportunity to learn more about their work and to network.
Commenting on the event, guest speaker Dr Laura Spells said:
“It was a real pleasure to part of the Mental Health Forum for Ilkley and to be in a room full of people all passionate about the mental health of our children. For me, smartphones and social media use is one of the key components behind the story of the decline in our children’s mental health over the last 20 years – so it was a real honour to be able to present my thoughts and research findings on this on the day.”
Dr Caroline Rayment spoke about the event:
“I was delighted to jointly host the first Ilkley, Wharfedale and Craven Mental Health Forum with Robbie Moore. It felt important to try and explore why mental health concerns have been increasing, what is happening within the community, and where we need to focus on the gaps in the support offered. It was a good opportunity for people to meet together to share what they are doing and to listen to the panel discuss how they have dealt with things. I hope we can repeat this event in the future and show that we are constantly moving forward to support young people in our area.”
Robbie Moore said:
“It was an absolute pleasure to host this forum with Dr Rayment, and brilliant to have so many professionals from the mental health, wellbeing and education sectors together in one room, bringing their expertise and sharing insights. A huge thank you to Dr Spells for her eye-opening presentation, and to our five brilliant panellists, who all brought such valuable insight to the discussion. Caroline and I are really encouraged by the conversations the event has sparked and, we look forward to hosting a similar event in the near future.”
Panellists Emma Pears, Founder and Chief Officer of SELFA Children’s Charity in Skipton, and Helen Ioannou, Service Director at Bradford District and Craven Mind, also shared their thoughts:
Emma said:
“It was such a great event and I was honoured to join a thoughtful and experienced panel, all committed to making a real difference to children and young people’s mental health. The highlight was Dr Laura Spells’ insightful talk on the impact of smartphones on young people’s mental health – thought-provoking and timely as we all consider how to support healthier digital habits.”
Helen commented:
“It was fantastic to be part of such a thoughtful and energising discussion on local children and young people’s mental health priorities. At Bradford District and Craven Mind, we’re committed to working in partnership to improve access and outcomes across our communities, and events like this are a vital part of shaping that change together.”
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