The Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition work with members, children and young people, and parents and carers to influence national policy and advocate for change in relation to babies, children, and young people’s mental health, in line with our strategic priorities. These priorities are:

• A mentally healthy generation with a focus on reducing risk factors for poor mental health and ensuring all babies, children and young people have strong protective factors; and creating positive and supportive environments where good mental health is promoted.
• Ensuring early intervention for all with a focus on ensuring there is always a choice of early intervention services in a range of different settings and that groups of babies, children and young people at risk of poor mental heath are prioritised in accessing early help.
• Strengthening specialist services to deliver the very best mental health care for babies, children and young people. This should have a focus on funding and access, and making sure that if a child or young person has a mental health crisis they receive the very best care and support.

You can read more about our strategic priorities in our Coalition Strategy 2024-27.

We work with decision makers, including MPs, Peers, Civil Servants and key stakeholders to ensure that there is effective government policy that supports babies, children and young people’s mental health. We do this through responding to consultations and inquiries, gathering evidence, writing reports and briefings, being part of targeted campaigns, and supporting our member’s work.  You can find out more about our policy influencing work here and read our reports and research here.

We are also committed to supporting our member organisations by holding a range of monthly learning events, providing a weekly newsletter, and connecting members together.