THE BIG ISSUE

THE majority of drop-in centres that provide mental health support for 11 to 25-year-olds have said they will be forced to significantly reduce services or close entirely when Government funding comes to an end next year.

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Early support hubs are designed to help children and young people with minor mental health issues before they develop into more serious problems.

However, the £7 million-a-year investment for the 24 centres across England is set to end in March 2026.

Experts warn the move could potentially undo “years of progress” and will lead to thousands of youngsters being “pushed back into long waits” for care.

The poll of 16 early support hubs, carried out by Youth Access, found half expect to close as a result of funding coming to an end while more than two-thirds (69%) said they will reduce services significantly.

Three-quarters expect to make staff redundant and only two centres have secured partial funding to continue providing services.

Cassandra Harrison, chief executive of Youth Access, said: “It's hard to square the Government's commitment to prevention and community support with its decision to end funding for early support hubs. These hubs deliver exactly what ministers and young people say they want - fast, local help that stops problems before they reach crisis point. Pulling the plug now risks undoing years of progress and leaving thousands of young people without vital support.