DELEGATES from Durham County Council met this week to discuss ways of bridging the 'age gap' facing young people with mental health problems.

The authority's overview and scrutiny committee investigated fears that people aged 16-25 are falling into a gap where they do not fit into either a child's or adult's mental health setting.

Its study resulted in a 40-point action plan, which calls for a new approach to the problem.

More than 100 representatives met for a one-day conference at County Hall to explore issues in Minding the Gap.

Coun Edna Hunter was chairman of the working group that investigated the need to improve mental health services for young people.

She said: "There has been a growing awareness that young people with mental health problems don't always receive services relevant to their needs.

"This is most evident in the transitional age group - young people aged 16-25 - who fall into the gap of services structured to meet the needs of either children or adults.

"Most social services authorities, for example, treat young people up to the ages of 18 within the children's regime, yet as regards health service provision, many child and adolescent mental health service only provide service up to 16, when many young people move into the adult health regime."

To counter the problem the county council has developed an internet web site in conjunction with the NHS and young people from Investing in Children.

Stressed Out aims to provide accessible and easy-to-use information and young people's mental health and a wide range of other related issues.

The day included a presentation on 'Treatment Foster Care,' a new way of caring for challenging young people.

Durham County Council is thought to be one of only six authorities piloting the new system.