AS part of Mental Health Awareness Week, the public are being asked for their views on how mental health and wellbeing facilities can be improved in Wiltshire.

This week young people, parents and professionals are invited to complete an online survey to help shape how these services are provided across the county in the future.

This survey will check what participants know about services available, how supported they feel and what else can be done to make positive change. 

In Wiltshire more than 2,000 people are referred a year who require support, advice, intervention or treatment, according to James Fortune, head of the new Child and Adolescent Mental Health service implemented across the south of England.

And Laura Mayes, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for children’s services, said: “We all have to look after our mental health but it is particularly important to ensure our young people have support.

"We want to work alongside our young people to ensure they have the right support when they need it.”

Initiatives launched to help improve mental health services include Kooth, an online counselling site for pupils aged from 11 to 25, youth mental health first aid, a programme designed to raise awareness of psychological and emotional wellbeing and mental health, and the On Your Mind website.

Lucy Baker, acting commissioning director (maternity, children and mental health) of the Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: “Wiltshire CCG is working together across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire to transform how we deliver mental health support to better meet the needs of our local population including children and young people.

"There is a shared enthusiasm to enhance lives and wellbeing with a shared commitment that no-one should be left in need. We really want to hear what people think of our services and how we can make things better.”

There are different surveys available for young people, parents and carers, and professionals.