Mental health services for children and young people in England need a "complete overhaul", says the government.

It follows a review of services by a government taskforce which has found that too many young people are not getting the help they need.

Growing numbers are also presenting with increasingly complex and severe problems, it says.

In response, ministers have made a five-year plan to improve services.

The measures - based on the recommendations of the taskforce - are being set out by Care Minister Norman Lamb, who has talked openly about his son's mental health and addiction issues.

He says a "complete overhaul" is needed. "A once in a generation" opportunity to improve mental health services for children and young people.

"I want to change the way we think about mental health care so that any child, whether they have a mental illness or simply need support through a difficult time, can get the right help at the right time," says Mr Lamb.

The announcement comes after Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said at the weekend there would be an extra £1.25bn for mental health in this week's Budget.

A large chunk of this will be spent on ensuring that by 2020, an extra 100,000 children and young people get help.

SOURCE BBC NEWS