A Glasgow mum whose son attempted to take his own life on three separate occasions has called for improved mental health care for children in schools.
Kirsty Solman, 40, and her husband Scott, 45, endured months of terror when their son Kyle, who has autism and ADHD, ended up in the Royal Hospital for Children’s A&E multiple times across 2021 and 2022 after ingesting medication.
The family, from Drumchapel, has now launched a petition calling for funding to provide improved mental wellbeing staff for children in schools and colleges across the UK after feeling let down by systems that should have protected their son, who is now 11.
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Speaking to Glasgow Live, Kirsty said: “We started the campaign because in 2021 our son, who was 10 at the time and has autism and ADHD, was becoming very unhappy and we were contacting charities saying we were concerned for him.
“He went from being a very happy little boy to one that did not want to leave his room or interact or even go to school, and it wasn’t like him at all. He was struggling to be out of the house or his bedroom at all.
“We just kept getting told it was his age, or the fact he has autism, or it was because of the covid lockdowns and that kids bounce back.
“That infuriated me — kids have mental health struggles too. If anything it’s harder for kids, because they don’t recognise the signs in themselves the way an adult might. We kept insisting it wasn’t to do with his autism or his age.
“In November that year, he attempted to take his own life. He got hold of my medication but luckily wasn’t able to take everything. He was rushed to A&E straight away.
“It was put down as accidental, but he told us he did not want to be here. However, because of his age, it was just put down as accidental."
The family experienced a brief improvement in Kyle's mental health over Christmas 2021, but he quickly relapsed after returning to school.
Kirsty said: “The schools broke up over the Christmas break and he was better, but when he went back after the break, he freaked out completely and tried to take his own life again.
“Once again, it was put down as an accidental ingestion.
“It took it happening three times before the acute section listened to what he was saying. It seemed that they weren’t really listening to him and putting it down to his autism.
“It was assumed he would grow out of it. We always knew the mental health services weren’t great, but when our child was in a crisis, there was no help at all."
Fortunately, Kyle is now improving with the help of the family's new shared hobby - paranormal investigating. Kirsty and Scott are also now passionate advocates for children's mental health.
“Our boy is 11 now and is in a much better place," Kirsty said. "He can now recognise himself if he is having a bad day.
“He discovered a passion for paranormal investigating and it’s played a huge part — it’s something we do as a family. It’s helped build his confidence and made him much happier.
“But there was no help where you would expect to find it. Our son is very lucky he had two parents that have fought so hard for him.
“I have sent many emails with very little response — to the Scottish Government, to the First Minister. We’ve been told that millions has been put into mental health, but I can’t see where that money has gone. Children’s mental health isn’t a priority the way it should be.
“We have a petition calling for funding to put mental health staff into schools. A lot of children with these issues, schools pick up on them first, but they have nowhere to go with it. It can go to education psychology but they are so stretched as well.
“There ends up being a big drama over who is to deal with it, meanwhile a child is in a crisis.
“If children can get support earlier as well, it can help stop putting such pressure on mental health services for adults.”
A spokesman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) said said: “While NHSGGC do not discuss individual cases, we are sorry that this family are unhappy with events and if they get in touch with us we will attempt to address any concerns they might have.
“CAMHS are multi-disciplinary teams that provide assessment and treatment/interventions for children and young people experiencing mental health problems, and training and support to professionals working with children, young people and their families.
“All children and families should receive support and services that are appropriate to their needs. CAMHS will provide individual therapy and treatment as well as group programme. If a child requires input from multiple clinicians to support their needs, CAMHS will provide this. CAMHS work closely with Education and social care colleagues who offer support in local communities and schools.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The mental health and wellbeing of children and young people is an absolute priority for the Scottish Government.
“All secondary schools in Scotland have access to counselling services, supported by £16 million of funding per year. Counselling services can also be offered to children from the age of 10.
“In addition, our Mental Health in Schools Working Group has overseen the development of a learning resource for school staff and guidance to support whole-school approaches to mental health. This ensures that school staff have the information they need to signpost and link into sources of advice and support for children, young people and their families.
“To support children, young people and families with their mental health, the Scottish Government has invested in a range of additional supports – including providing councils with an additional £30 million over the last two years to fund community mental health and wellbeing supports. Local authorities have reported that they benefitted over 38,000 children, young people, parents and carers in the first six months of 2022 alone.
“Staffing in Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) has more than doubled since 2007 and we have committed to provide funding for around 320 additional staff in CAMHS over the next five years in our NHS Recovery Plan.”
To visit Kirsty's petition to the UK Government, visit the website here.
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