Mum opens up about 7-year-old son's anxiety

ITV News Central Health Correspondent, Nancy Cole, has been to meet a mum who says her seven-year-old son has struggled with his mental health since he was just a year old.

Lorraine Carr says he has high-level anxiety and finds it hard to deal with feelings of anger and frustration. She says she's struggling to get the help he needs and fears for his future without proper intervention.

Lorraine says he needs professional help - and for six years she's tried different avenues to get him the support she believes he needs.

In that time, Matthew has had one referral to CAMHS - the NHS's mental health service for children - but Lorraine said she was told he had no underlying mental health issues.

Matthew goes to a mainstream school and has no interest in friends or socialising. He struggles with food - a trait seen in some youngsters struggling with their mental health.

Half of all mental health problems in adulthood begin before the age of 14. Matthew turned seven last week. Another year older, and for Lorraine, another year of uncertainty of how she can help her son.

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