BLACKPOOL health chiefs have appointed a task force to tackle growing numbers of young people with mental problems.

In one recent week 12 young people from north Blackpool alone - all separately at risk of harming themselves or someone else - were referred for medical treatment.

Anything from severe trauma to eating disorders, school phobia or depression, will be tackled by the four new child and family workers who will operate in Blackpool and Preston.

Two have a background in social work, one in occupational therapy and one in nursing, all qualified counsellors, who will work with existing mental health, education and social services teams to offer an overall plan of care.

Mary Bunting, service manager for child and adolescent mental health, said waiting lists had been mounting as more and more distressed families needed help.

"Nationally, child and adolescent mental health hasn't always been recognised as the vital service it is, and hasn't always had the resources it needed, but this is a major development for this area," she added.

Fylde Community Health Services Trust chief executive Philip Scully said: "All the evidence shows that if problems are dealt with effectively at the earliest possible stage it may prevent a lifetime of mental health problems.

"Young people will then go on to live fulfilled adolescent and adult lives, having a full part to play in society."

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