A GROUP of campaigners who want to improve mental health support for young people have taken their cause before the Government.

Children in Crisis Cumbria Support (CHICCS) was formed by a group of parents who feel young people in west Cumbria are being failed by mental health services.

The issue was brought to light when a west Cumbrian mother in desperation, and as a last resort, made a social media plea about the total lack of support for her suicidal child in a mental health crisis.

The post triggered hundreds of responses of people sharing similar experiences, but also of some parents who wanted to help create a campaign group.

CHICCS drafted a charter of what they wanted to achieve. They wrote to MPs and other leaders to ask for support with their concerns.

Mark Jenkinson MP organised a meeting at his office and after the meeting, the team agreed to raise the issue in Parliament.

CHICCS were invited to London to meet with the minister of care and mental health, Gillian Keegan MP. Campaigners travelled to the Houses of Parliament in London to meet in person last week.

The group shared case studies of children in crisis who had been seriously let down by the services in Cumbria.

They were told of an ongoing 'call for evidence' whereby anyone who is experiencing poor services, or anyone working within the field, can fill out an online questionnaire to help the Government understand the problems.

The CHICCS campaign group is encouraging all the people who have raised the issue of poor mental health services for children to fill this in. All responses will be confidential.

News and Star: CAMPAIGN: Members of Children in Crisis Cumbria Support travelled to London to share case studies of children in crisis who had been seriously let down by mental services, with the Government.CAMPAIGN: Members of Children in Crisis Cumbria Support travelled to London to share case studies of children in crisis who had been seriously let down by mental services, with the Government.

Mark Jenkinson MP and minister Gillian Keegan pledged to support the CHICCS Charter and to look into the failures of the case studies provided so far. But the group didn’t stop there.

When they saw up-and-coming singer Lost Girl perform in Manchester she spoke about her battle and support for mental health and has written a song about it called 'Lost Soul' that will be released soon.

After she performed the CHICCS team met with her and she pledged her support tweeting: “Guys please support. This is really close to my heart."

Emma-Jayne Gooch, of the group, said: “CHICCS started because of one girl's battle, but we have taken that negative experience and have turned it into something positive that will improve the services available to our young people in our community.

"We are extremely grateful to Mark for supporting us and are delighted that we were given time with the minister to take Cumbria and our children’s mental health failings to the top table.

"Having an amazing artist like Lost Girl support us allows us to connect in with more young people and help them understand they aren’t alone.”

To fill out the questionnaire, go to: https://consultations.dhsc.gov.uk/623ac367ea9bcd4c024d6df9