Lucerne's Young Socialists demand faster mental health care for youth
A new campaign in Lucerne is pushing for faster mental health support for young people. The Young Socialists (Juso) have launched an initiative to cut waiting times and improve early intervention. They argue that the cantonal government has failed to provide adequate care for children and teenagers struggling with psychological issues.
The initiative sets a clear target: no young person should wait longer than four weeks for non-urgent mental health treatment. Juso also wants teachers trained to spot early warning signs in students. Their goal is to prevent minor health issues from turning into long-term problems.
To move forward, the group must collect 4,000 signatures from eligible voters in Lucerne. The proposal has already gained backing from several organizations. The Social Democratic Party (SP), the Greens, youth political groups, Pro Juventute, and professional associations have all pledged their support.
Juso has sharply criticized the cantonal government for underfunding health insurance, leaving many children and adolescents without timely access to necessary mental health services.
If the initiative succeeds in gathering enough signatures, it will go to a public vote. A four-week maximum wait for treatment would mark a significant change in how Lucerne handles youth mental health. The push for teacher training could also help identify at-risk students sooner.
