ANDREW JENKINS and Kate Heneghan, Plaid Cymru candidates for the new Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd constituency in the 2026 Senedd election, are marking Children’s Mental Health Week by calling for earlier support in schools, faster access to services, and more help for families.
In Wales, around one in five children and young people now have a diagnosable mental health condition, and around two-thirds say they are concerned about their wellbeing – a concern repeatedly highlighted by the Welsh Youth Parliament, which has called for early and accessible support.
Candidate Andrew Jenkins, who has spoken about his own experience of poor mental health, said: “When support isn’t there early, worries that might seem small can become overwhelming for a child.
“No young person should feel alone with what they’re carrying. We need help in schools, in communities and for families – early, consistently, and before things reach crisis.”
Candidate Kate Heneghan, who previously was a senior manager with the suicide prevention charity Papyrus, said: “I’ve seen how much it matters when a young person feels truly heard and taken seriously.
“Having someone they trust and a safe place to turn can make an enormous difference, especially at moments when things feel hardest.”
The candidates are calling for stronger school-based wellbeing support, quicker access to specialist services, and investment in youth and community provision.
The current Plaid Cymru list for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd for the 2026 Senedd election is:
- Sioned Williams
- Rebeca Phillips
- Andrew Jenkins
- Justin Horrell
- Kate Heneghan
The Plaid Cymru team in Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd is focused on listening to local communities, offering a hopeful alternative to the status quo, and making the case for a Wales that is fairer, greener, and more confident in its future.
