YOUNGSTERS’ mental health is being strained because of bullying, domestic violence, peer pressure on social networks and poverty, according to a charity worker.

Terri Hacking, who manages projects including Burnley Targeted Family Services, Lancashire Parenting, Chorley and South Ribble Families First and Burnley Wood Children’s Centre for Action for Children, was speaking after it was announced one in four families with children she dealt with had a youngster with mental health issues.

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She called on the government to realise the ‘desperate situation’ families were in and to increase funding to charities that work with young people Mrs Hacking said: “Young people do not know where to go for help and pastoral care in schools does not even touch the surface.

“More young people than ever are deciding to take themselves out of the situations and committing suicide.”

She added: “Domestic violence is a big issue and we are seeing more of it with adults, which then has a massive impact on the young person.

“We can deal with the domestic violence and in some instances, the young person is removed from the situation. But just because it has gone, does not mean the issues have.

“The results show themselves later down the line.

“Youngsters also have so many other pressures around exams or not doing well at school. There are peer pressures around drugs and alcohol that can be the way young people are trying to alleviate what they are feeling.

“We may be coming out of recession, but there are still poverty issues.”

“Young people are spiralling into drugs and alcohol and we are just going to be responding to the issues.

“There is a lack of places in prison, but we will see an increase in criminal behaviour. Those people will then go on to have children and they too will have no hope and no real start in life.

“It is dire for young people.”

Mrs Hacking said: “The voluntary sector is suffering massively.

“Local authorities have had to get rid of children’s centre, but they are the ones that can start working pre-birth with the parents.”

Action for Children is calling on councils to provide early support for children, devoting more attention to warning signs and pressures contributing to problems with emotional wellbeing.

Helen McKee, from Action for Children in Lancashire said: “As a society, we are sleepwalking towards a precipice when it comes to child mental health and the time to wake up is now.”

Alex Burke, 18, took an overdose when he was 16.

He due to pressures of coming out and feeling said: “For a long time I felt unwanted and like no one wanted to hear anything I had to say.”