Children with mental health problems are being failed by the NHS, the Liberal Democrats have warned.

Health spokesman Paul Marsden called on the government to make good on its pledge to improve access to mental health services for children and adolescents.

Forum Response: Barnardo's

Dr. Tony Newman, principal officer for research and development, at Barnardo's, told ePolitix.com: "Article 24 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child states that health is the basis for a good quality of life and that 'mental health is of overriding importance in this'.

"Unfortunately, it is widely recognised that there has been an increase in the proportion of children suffering from emotional and behavioural problems in recent years, including eating and conduct disorders, depression, self-injurious behaviour, suicides and para-suicides.

"These, and other manifestations of poor mental health affect around 20 per cent of the child population at any one time, with the poorest and most deprived children being disproportionately affected. Given the increasing size of the problem, investment in child and adolescent mental health services has been inadequate.

"Barnardo's believes that a well resourced CAMHS is essential to alleviating children's distress when problems occur, and also to reduce the likelihood of such problems persisting into adult life."

Forum Response: Royal College of Psychiatrists

Dr Ann York, spokeswoman for the Royal College of Psychiatrists, told ePolitix.com: "I suspect that many clinicians working in CAMHS will be surprised to read that the waiting time is so short as to be around 6 weeks. This must be because the average doesn't reflect the range and is not the modal waiting time. It may also be that the department of health only requests data on doctor to consultant referrals and in CAMHS most referrals do not fall into this category.

"Urgent cases are seen very rapidly- often same day or within a few days in most CAMHS but non-urgent cases wait. Many CAMHS are struggling to meet government targets for first appointment times due to lack of capacity. Some have responded by offering triage but then children wait for treatment.

"CAMHS is a priority for further resourcing and this is recognised by the government and in published guidance. However, much funding comes with restrictions and relates to new areas of service provision and is often short-term. Whilst new provision is essential at the same time core CAMHS is eroded through Cost Improvement Plans that all Trusts are required to implement."

Forum Response: Depression Alliance

Jim Thompson, director of Depression Alliance, told ePolitix.com: "We are being failed twice by mental health services in the NHS, both aschildren and as adults. Not only have we seen a massive increase in young people affected by depression but we are also seeing the legacy of years of neglect in mental health.

"Many people who come to us now are people who have experienced depression as young people, have not received appropriate treatment and have suffered progressively worsening health ever since. These are people in desperate and by now often urgent need.

"We need to ensure that not only are they taken care of but that the next generation are equipped with knowledge to enable them to look after their mental health, supported by appropriate resources and early interventions. Depression is a very treatable illness and yet it is responsible for nearly 3/4 of all suicides.

"It is unacceptable for the government to claim that mental health is one of their top 3 priorities when Ministers routinely talk at length about the other two - cancer and heart disease - while barely mentioning mental health. It may not be a vote-catcher, but while young people are not receiving the treatment they need, it is a national disgrace.

"Depression Alliance will be running National Depression Week from the 7th - 13th April. We will be looking at depression in the young because young lives depend on it. We will be producing desperately-needed resources designed to help those working first-hand with young people to better understand and support the very people who are our future."

Forum Response: SANE

Marjorie Wallace, chief executive of mental health charity SANE, told ePolitix.com: "Our mental health helpline, SANELINE, receives over 60 calls a week from young people under the age of 25 who are in need of support and information.

"We are concerned about the rise in the numbers of young people, particularly girls, who are harming themselves in increasingly violent ways and how difficult it is for them and their friends and family to reach people who can understand or help."

Paul Marsden told ePolitix.com: "Successive Tory and Labour governments have talked about the need to make children's mental health services a priority but they have failed to deliver on the rhetoric. Every child has the right to good quality, caring mental health treatment if they need it.

"The needs of children are not being met at the moment and the full spectrum of services are required from access to health professionals for counselling and psychotherapy as well as the latest drugs.

"We need a holistic approach with all agencies from social services, education specialists and health care professional being involved to meet each unique child's needs. Too many children have poor mental health and this manifests itself in various ways when they become adults.

"We need action now backed up with real investment to give children the best possible start in life."