ONE in six children between the age of five and 15 will experience mental health issues, the States heard yesterday as part of a landmark debate on a new mental health and well-being strategy.

Charitable campaigners and service users campaigning on the steps of the Royal Court urged politicians to realise the significance of endorsing the report presented by the Health and Social Services Department.

And eventually it was approved unanimously by deputies, along with a new £24m. mental health and well-being facility to replace the Castel Hospital.

During the debate Deputy Andrew Le Lievre joined campaigners in reminding deputies why the strategy was so important by providing a number of figures – one in five adults will suffer from anxiety or depression; one in six children between the age of five and 15 will experience mental health problems; and that in 2012 400 children were referred to the child and adolescent mental health service.