Supporting young people with mental health problems: lessons from a voluntary sector pilot

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the introduction of a voluntary sector pilot project to develop innovative mental health services for young people.Design/methodology/approach – A combination of observation, interview and group discussion with service providers and users was used to build a picture of the relationships between context, mechanism and outcome.Findings – The project was perceived as successful and beneficial in all three pilot sites, although there were differences of perception as to whether it complemented or challenged existing statutory services.Practical implications – Learning about what adolescents and young adults with complex mental health needs find helpful may help to develop more appropriate and acceptable services. A mental health service for young people delivered by the voluntary sector offers the opportunity for radical service innovation. Synergy may be achieved as a result of statutory and voluntary sectors working together but the ethos of the voluntary s...