Enormity of events may take weeks to sink in

YOUNG PEOPLE in Liverpool, traumatised or affected by the terror attacks at Manchester Arena this week, are to be offered counselling. 

It comes as as mental health and youth workers brace themselves for increased demand as the gravity of the events, which left 22 people dead, many of them children, sinks in over the coming weeks

Schools across the city are able to access guidance via CAHMS (the Children and Adolescents Mental Health Service) and the the Young Person’s Advisory Service.

Monique Collier, Chief Executive of YPAS, said: “We have already been providing support and therapeutic services to students in Liverpool and we believe that over the coming weeks there will be increased demand for services as the enormity of what has happened sinks in. It is important that people remember that support is available and they should not be embarrassed about asking for support.”

If anyone needs support they should approach a member of school staff or they can approach the advisory service YPAS directly for support.

CAMHS have mental health link workers connected to each of the city’s secondary schools while YPAS has community hubs across the city where young people can pop in for a chat or to arrange counselling.

Councillor Barry Kushner, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “Our heart goes out to those whose lives have been changed forever as a result of what happened in Manchester on Monday night. We know that there are young people in the city were at the concert, or know people who were there and those who were tragically killed or injured.

“At this time, it is really important for young people and families in our city to know that counselling support is available for them.”

More information about CAMHS can be found at https://www.liverpoolcamhs.com and YPAS at http://www.ypas.org.uk