'INEFFECTIVE' mental health support has been blamed for increasing numbers of young people being sectioned by police.

More than 100 young people were detained by police across the Cleveland, Durham and North Yorkshire Police areas in three years.

Home Office figures analysed by Newsquest's Data Investigations Unit revealed the number of young people detained by police under the Mental Health Act has risen by 19 per cent between 2016-17 and 2018-19 in England and Wales.

Tom Madders, director of campaigns at mental health charity Young Minds, said: “Unfortunately, young people across the country too often can’t get effective mental health support until they reach crisis point."

He added: "Being admitted to hospital can be a lifeline for some young people with mental health problems, but it can also be a confusing and frightening experience – and that’s why detention should only ever be used as a last resort.”

The latest figures released by NHS England show 398,346 children and young people were waiting for their second contact for mental health services between April 2018 and March 2019, with the average waiting time being 59 days.

A Middlesbrough mother has spoken out after waiting eight months for a follow-up appointment with the communiyu Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), which was last month rated by the CQC as 'requiring improvement', for her 13-year-old daughter, who was suffering from anxiety and panic attacks, and having suicidal thoughts.

The 34-year-old said: "After the meeting in April, I was left feeling no further forward, so I worked with my daughter at home and with her school to get her better.

“I felt pretty much alone. I made school aware of the issue but they couldn’t offer her counselling as she was in a school in a different council to where she lived.

“It was a case of supporting her, making her feel loved and important. She still has bad days but not as bad. She has a strong best friend who has helped a lot too.

“It’s worrying though not knowing what’s going on in her head, hoping you’re doing enough to help."

“I guess she’s learnt she can talk to us about how she’s feeling and not bottle things up.

“I dread to think what could have happened if things ended up differently.”

Ruth Hill, Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys (TEWV)NHS Foundation Trust’s chief operating officer, said: “We know that nationally there’s a high level of demand for mental health care for children and young people and we work closely with commissioners to provide the best possible service.”

She added: “Whilst we can’t comment on individual cases we would always urge anyone who feels their experience could have been better to please contact us through our patient advice and liaison service so that we can look into and address any issues they may have.”

Earlier this week, the CQC rated TEWV's services as "requiring improvement".

Easington MP Grahame Morris said: "In east Durham, there is a significant need for accessible, high quality and responsive mental health services. Too often, people facing a mental health crisis come in contact with the police, rather than a doctor or mental health nurse."

A National Police Chiefs’ Council spokesman said: “Police officers are spending more time than they should be waiting for people in crisis to be admitted for treatment because of understaffing in NHS services. There is a well-established dialogue between partners to build lasting support networks and we will work closely with the NHS and others to help those facing mental health emergencies get the assistance they need in line with their care needs.

“It is right that the police are there to protect those in immediate danger, but they shouldn’t become the first point of call for those who need longer term mental health support and access to prevention measures.”

The Government said it is committed to reducing the number of people that are sectioned.

A spokesman said: “Police officers do a tough job protecting those facing mental health problems in often difficult and distressing circumstances and are provided with training to support them.

“We are committed to reducing the number of people detained under the Mental Health Act and we are investing in the NHS to transform mental health care and continue to ensure that those in a mental health crisis are treated with dignity and respect.”