Mental health services for young people in Surrey have been praised by a national body.

The National Advisory Council (NAC) for children’s mental health and emotional well-being said the county can be proud of its services, after a visit from vice-chairman Dr Lesley Hewson.

She was so impressed by the quality and innovation she saw that she recommended it be put forward for an award.

The NAC team praised user participation in Surrey’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and described it as an excellent example of good practice.

The Surrey CAMHS website was also given positive feedback, as was the new DVD, produced and developed by young people, that will be given to all children and young people newly referred into the service.

Surrey County Councillor Mary Angell said: “It is fantastic to receive such high-level praise and to be singled out for being excellent.

“It is a measure of how successfully we have worked with our health colleagues to make sure children in Surrey get high-quality support when they need it.”

One Esher resident, who wished to remain anonymous, gave us his impressions of the NHS from when he battled OCD and anxiety.

He said: “There is still a lot of stigma attached to this issue and it is therefore encouraging to hear NHS Surrey is treating mental health disorders seriously and effectively.

“Facilities in the NHS to treat people with mental illnesses have an extremely good reputation, but waiting lists for patients seeking psychological help are still too long. It is important for people who feel they might need help to not be afraid to seek it as soon as possible. It really can make a difference.”

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