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Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week 2025: Peter Scutts shares success of the Elliott Holmes Memorial Fund

Nearly 400,000 children have been waiting for two years for urgent mental health support across the country, but in some cases, by the time it becomes available, it is too late.

Senior reporter Alex Langridge speaks to the Kent organisation successfully helping young people without lengthy waiting lists or “gatekeepers” before they reach crisis point.

Elliott Holmes died in 2020. Picture: Peter Scutts
Elliott Holmes died in 2020. Picture: Peter Scutts

Days before Elliott Holmes died his step-dad Peter Scutts phoned the Single Point of Access 24/7 helpline, which manages adult mental health referrals, pleading for help as his son had tried to take his own life two days prior.

But instead of receiving aid, he was told by the operator Elliott would have to call and refer himself, a clinician would then be in touch to assess the situation and if he was worried to call the police.

A week later, on June 25, 2020, the 19-year-old ventured into the woods alone and was discovered by police officers unresponsive having taken his own life.

At his inquest, it was admitted that the helpline operator should have responded differently to Peter’s call given the patient’s history and there had been “gaps” and “hiccups” in Elliott’s care.

The former Meopham School pupil had struggled with his mental health for several years, however, Peter said he failed to access the help he needed, such as talking therapies.

Kerry Holmes and Peter Scutts set up the EHMF. Picture: Gravesham council
Kerry Holmes and Peter Scutts set up the EHMF. Picture: Gravesham council

Instead, he said there was a never-ending “merry-go-round” of triaging, referrals and assessments claiming the system was “not in touch” with the reality of people asking for help.

Determined that no other young people or families should have to go through what they did, Peter and his partner Kerry Holmes set up the Elliott Holmes Memorial Fund (EHMF) in 2022.

The Community Interest Company (CIC) provides access to fast and direct counselling and aims to fund one-to-one private talking therapy for vulnerable young people.

Talking to KentOnline for Children’s Mental Health Week, which runs until February 9, Peter said there was not enough aid available for people who are struggling before they reach crisis point.

He added: “They say there is help out there but it is one of the biggest lies. There are more gatekeepers than anything else and to get access to the services you need, you have to try to get past them.

“We did not get help for eight years. We waited all that time for Elliott.”

The former marketing director explained the EHMF is successfully “cutting out the noise” and administration procedures which he said act as barriers and only delay children getting the right mental health support.

Instead of having to be referred to a counsellor or service by a doctor or another medical professional, young people self-refer to the EHMF and are paired with a counsellor almost immediately.

From 2022 to 2023, the Children's Commissioner, the public body promoting the rights of children, reported that almost one million youngsters had active referrals for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

Of these, only 32% (305,000) had received support, 39% (372,800) had had their referral closed before accessing help and 28% (270,300) were still waiting for support almost a year later.

The commissioner’s report also stated nearly 40,000 children were experiencing waits of at least two years to access support.

In comparison, since April 2022, more than 330 young people have been paired with a counsellor within six days, on average, by referrals sent to the EHMF, with no waiting list.

According to the organisation’s data, 83% of children who self-referred to the EHMF had been unable to access support elsewhere with 46% struggling alone for more than two years.

Peter, of The Drove Way, Istead Rise, said: “It is madness that mental health waiting lists have gone beyond breaking point when we have capable counsellors ready to help virtually every borough in the UK.

“The EHMF has unlocked that capacity, giving young people in Gravesham the support they need, before they reach crisis point.

Peter Scutts said young people should not have to battle to access help. Picture: Elliott Holmes Memorial Fund
Peter Scutts said young people should not have to battle to access help. Picture: Elliott Holmes Memorial Fund

“Young people should not have to battle gatekeepers just to get the help they deserve. It is a ridiculous situation.”

Peter said due to the overwhelming number of referrals many children are being sent videos or links to websites rather than receiving counselling or talking therapies like Elliott needed.

The dad added: “It is just not going to cut it. In a digital age with less human interaction, prevention is key.

“Sports, drama, music and clubs help young people build resilience and learn vital social skills. They are more vital than ever in tackling this crisis.

“Crisis support lines and online help play a role, but nothing replaces face-to-face human interaction in changing a young person’s life.

Elliott Holmes had struggled with his mental health for years
Elliott Holmes had struggled with his mental health for years

“The government is ignoring the elephant in the room. Real change will come from unlocking the professional support we already have.”

Director of the CIC, Peter, says the service provided by the EHMF is unique but believes it could be easily replicated in every town across the country with the right funding.

He added: “It takes a village to raise a child. The Gravesham community has embraced the old African proverb.

“We as a community have all made a huge difference to the young people in Gravesham. Clubs, pubs, leisure centres as well as businesses and individuals have embraced our initiative.

“The children’s mental health crisis is too huge. We are talking about hundreds of children and the services are struggling to cope.

From left, mums Arshan Gulati, Gemma Cayley-Smith and Kerry Holmes who all lost their sons to suicide unveil a talking bench. Picture: Peter Scutts
From left, mums Arshan Gulati, Gemma Cayley-Smith and Kerry Holmes who all lost their sons to suicide unveil a talking bench. Picture: Peter Scutts

“We need to carry on making people aware of how bad it is getting, but, without support, the awareness seems pretty futile.

"There is no way any government can tackle this crisis alone, it will take a combined effort of local support organisations collaborating, unlocking the private sector and engaging communities.

“As a community, we need to help the next generation and if we do not invest in them, we will see real problems. Everyone has a part to play.”

If you are aged 13-18 living in Gravesham or attending a school in the borough and are struggling with your mental health, you can self-refer online at www.ehmf.org.uk

Other support organisations are also listed on the website.

For confidential support on an emotional issue, call Samaritans on 116 123 at any time or click here to visit the website.

If you are a business, club or individual and would like to fundraise or help the EHMF, please email Peter at peter@ehmf.org.uk.

The EHMF is also looking to seek partners to help with post-counselling support to prevent relapse, which has been identified as another big issue affecting young people.

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