As Children’s Mental Health Week is marked under the theme “This Is My Place,” Liberal Democrats in the East Riding are renewing their call for urgent action to ensure every child has access to safe, supportive spaces where they can grow, feel valued, and truly belong.
For many young people across the East Riding’s villages, market towns, and coastal communities, finding that sense of belonging is becoming increasingly difficult. From classrooms in Beverley to sports pitches in Goole and libraries along the coast, children’s “places” are where they feel seen and supported. Yet too many families are facing long waits for help as local mental health and SEND services struggle under unprecedented pressure.
Mental health must be treated as a priority
In Westminster, Liberal Democrats continue to push for mental health to be treated with the same urgency as physical health. Speaking on the issue, Dr Danny Chambers MP, Liberal Democrat Mental Health Spokesperson, stressed the need for early and community-based support rather than crisis-driven responses.
“There should be no doubt that good mental health and wellbeing are as critical to the progression of our young people as physical health is. Protecting mental health at an early age can have a defining impact on lifelong resilience.”
Charlie Maynard MP also highlighted the strain on frontline services: “The government needs to step up and provide the funding and support our children’s mental health services desperately need. We cannot allow another generation to be left behind.”
Dr Chambers further noted that in rural areas like the East Riding, isolation often deepens the challenge for families seeking help: “Children’s mental health is one of the subjects that comes up most frequently on the doorstep, with parents really struggling to get the mental health care that their children need.”
A local funding crisis
The pressures facing families in the East Riding are intensified by longstanding funding inequalities. Local councillors warn that young people in the region are being left behind by a system that does not reflect local need.
Cllr Tony Henderson said: “East Riding of Yorkshire currently sits at the bottom of the national funding table for young people and SEND services, in some cases receiving a third less than London boroughs. This financial disparity is compounded by an outdated, siloed approach to youth work. In a digital age where young people can simply ‘switch off’ from discomfort, youth clubs provide irreplaceable physical spaces to build real-world emotional resilience. We must treat mental health and physical wellbeing together if we want this generation to thrive.”
A fair deal for young people
Liberal Democrats are calling for a clear, costed plan to deliver a fair deal for young people across the country including the East Riding. Key proposals include:
— A permanent, funded mental health professional in every primary and secondary school
— Early Support Hubs in every local area, offering walk-in access without GP referral
— An end to the postcode lottery that disadvantages rural and coastal communities
— Parity of Esteem in law, requiring the NHS to treat mental and physical health equally
A call to action This Children’s Mental Health Week
This week, Liberal Democrats are urging communities, local leaders, and government to commit to:
— Championing the voices of children and young people across the East Riding
— Protecting community spaces such as youth clubs and libraries
— Encouraging open conversations to break down mental health stigma
— Securing fair funding so local NHS services can respond when help is needed
Whether it’s a classroom, a football pitch, or simply being with people who listen, a child’s place is wherever they feel supported.
Every child in the East Riding deserves that place and the chance to thrive.