I have beein in the waiting room with my son in a government funded clinic and seen teenagers approach the counter, these teenagaers look like they have they have struggled for considerable time and finally found the curage to seek help, only to be turned away as there are not any resources to help them. told there

One of the problems with society today, is that a lot of kids grow up with only one parent. Divorce and separation from a partner or spouse takes its toll on the kids. I maybe wrong, I often am.

Dont mention the elephant in the room intouch.

Where is Tony Brown's soap box with relation to this issue? Perhaps if he were more active in pioneering sensible solutions to problems like the above, he wouldn't have to expell his 'expertise' in other areas such as alcohol fueled violence etc. If there were half as much attention focussed on mental health related issues as there is on alcohol related violence, then perhaps there wouldn't be a need to concentrate on ARV. Come on Tony, where do you stand on this issue? Why don't you get a little more proactive in your thinking?

intouch how wrong you are and I as a single mum of 3 take great offence at your comment. I know someone who had severe mental issues who came from a 2 parent family so please do not blame use who are working hard to bring our children up alone. Trust me its not easy There could be many reasons why the numbers have increased or maybe they have not its just more are getting help.

Intouch, very out of touch. Using myself as a case study - only child, raised by single parent mum and both grandparents, poor/working class background turned into Uni and trade educated person, served my country, lots of great friends, gifted at sport, list goes on. I hope your life and others can be as fulfilling as mine has been and continues to be. Also, it's unfortunate that a lot of these kids get labelled and stigmatised due to their mental illness even if they get help and that does not help their situation one bit.

Education system needs to be upgraded and the school facilities need to be improved. Social life has been suffering in the region by all means in all ages, due to lack of interest by the government to inject more resources and to improve the economic conditions. In the age of IT, we see kids wandering in the streets, shopping malls by exhibiting anti social behaviours. In 21st century, they still find that graffiti, vandalism is fun. We are scared when we see a group of children in ages as young as 12-16, as they may be one of those violent gangs. Teachers, parents, community organizations have to put more effort and attention before those kids get into drugs and alcohol, before they become future criminals.

As a former patient of Hunter Mental Health I am saddened to read that even after all these years there is still such a great paucity in this area.I have left the area & being a middle aged woman now am forever grateful for the help I received.Sadly though even back more than 20 years ago it was nigh impossible to get urgent care & I remember practically begging for help on the door step of the old Watt st Clinic,even when James Fletcher opened there still was a back up of patients like me.It's so heartbreaking to see so many young people seeking help through these services.As for Intouch,your comment was out of line, do not blame the parental situation of these children,many factors contribute to mental health issues & laying the blame on the demise of marriages & the family unit is a low blow to those who are in this situation,