MENTAL health experts are criticised the increasing number of kids seeking help for mental health problems in Glasgow.

As reported in yesterday's Evening Times, city charity Lifelink has seen a 450 per cent surge in 11 to 18-year-olds coming to their services for help.

Staff told of how they had been used to seeing kids with mild to moderate problems including anxiety and stress, but more recently the severity of their problems have been getting worse.

Charity boss Jacqui Taylor said children who needed help for traumatic experiences including sexual abuse, alcoholism in the family and bereavement were now commonly attending her clinics.

In 2010 the charity saw around 250 children, however last year they helped more than 1300 with counselling and therapy.

The Scottish Children's Services Coalition (SCSC) - a group of organisations who work with children - have hit out at the figures and have called for improvements.

A spokesman said: "It is very disappointing to see such a dramatic increase in the number of children seeking help for mental health problems. Much more needs to be done to tackle the soaring numbers of children and young people being referred for these issues. This is not only due to increased levels of identification, but is also tied in with the pressures and stresses of modern living.

"The focus of any approach to tackling mental health problems must be on prevention and early intervention, as half of all diagnosable mental health problems start before the age of 14 and 75 per cent by the age of 21.

"That means dealing with issues such as poverty as well as improving general mental wellbeing through reducing the stresses and anxieties many children and young people suffer.

The SCSC welcomed the Scottish Government;s appointment of a Mental Health Minister, and said: "We look forward to working with them on ensuring that those children and young people with mental health problems get the care and support that they need."

The Mental Welfare Commission, Scotland's mental health watchdog, also called for action and added: "More must be done for children and young people across Scotland, including reducing the numbers of young people with complex needs who have to go to England for treatment.

"The Commission also wants to see all children and young people with mental health problems get faster access to support in the community."

Mental Health Minister, Maureen Watt, said: “Mental health is a key priority for this Government, reflected by my appointment last week as the first dedicated Minister for Mental Health in Scotland.

"Good mental health is central to the development of children and young people.

"We have committed to putting in place a ten year strategy to improve access to mental health services, backed by an additional £150 million over the next five years - and using this investment to support children and young people will be a priority.

“These figures may reflect the fact that, in recent years, more people – including children and young people - feel comfortable coming forward for help because of successful action in Scotland to reduce the stigma and discrimination which can be associated with mental health problems.”