MORE lessons about mental health issues in schools is the best way to overcome the stigma surrounding mental illness, according to Worcestershire’s young people.

Teens also said having people to talk to about problems and easily accessible help were important factors.

The youngsters were asked about mental health services as part of a major consultation by Worcestershire’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

CAMHS commissioners asked young people their views about services on offer when they find it hard to cope.

Parents, carers and professionals were also asked to contribute to the consultation, which is part of an ongoing plan to improve services for the support and treatment of children and young people with emotional and mental health problems.

The feedback will now be used to help shape services offered by CAMHS. Changes, which will be rolled out between 2012-2013, include shorter waiting times for appointments and more help and support in schools.

Angela Kirton, CAMHS commissioning manager said: “I’d like to thank everybody who took the time to take part in the consultation and it was fantastic to see so many valuable suggestions. Work is now being done with our partners the Worcestershire Health and Care Trust to re-shape services and put in to practice as many of the suggestions as we can.

“This exercise has been extremely positive and we will continue to use the views of service users and residents to help improve services in future."

There were 250 people consulted over 12 weeks in summer 2011 for the consultation.

The consultation results are now available on the county council’s consultation portal at worcestershire.gov.uk.