Siân Balsom, the manager of Healthwatch York, told The Press parents had raised concerns to the service about care from the Tees Esk Wear Valleys NHS Trust (TEWV).
Ms Balsom joined this newspaper and MPs in calling for a public inquiry to be held into TEVW.
TEWV has said that, as an NHS trust, it has “no role or influence on public inquiries” as “these are a matter for the government”, adding: “We will co-operate fully as required with openness and transparency.
“We work with some very vulnerable people, and continue to take every opportunity to improve the care we provide and have made substantial changes over the last few years.”
TEWV provides mental health and learning disability services for York, as well as North Yorkshire, County Durham, Darlington and Teesside.
Ms Balsom said long waits for mental health treatment from the trust had resulted in parents having to balance their jobs with providing care for their loved ones.
“They don’t feel like they’re being supported in that role, and they don’t know if what they’re doing is the right thing – it’s just the only thing they can do in their circumstances,” she said.
She said findings by The Press that more than 300 mental health patients had waited at least a year to be seen by TEWV did not surprise her as long waits for the care continues to be a national issue.
A TEWV spokesperson said it serves a population of two million people across Yorkshire and the North East and experienced a 25 per cent increase in referrals from 2020 to 2024.
They said the “majority of our patients are seen in a timely manner” but added: “We are sorry if some people are experiencing longer waits.
“We continue to work hard with our commissioners and partners, including schools, voluntary, community and the social enterprise sector, to reduce wait times across our trust.
“These partnerships ensure people get support as quickly as possible and have seen waiting lists reduced to around three weeks in some areas.”
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Ms Balsom said greater funding is needed to address mental health services being unable to cope with the demand they are facing.
Long waits for treatment can exacerbate mental health issues, says Healthwatch York boss
The Healthwatch manager said long waits for treatment can exacerbate the mental health issues these people are suffering from.
“If you are questioning what the future holds for you, it is hard to hold onto a future that doesn’t seem to offer immediate help and support,” she said.
“People are being told there is a long waiting list for services but, ‘Other people also need help, so you’ll just have to wait.’
“[Hearing] that, when you are in a very vulnerable position, actually increases your sense that nobody’s listening to you. That your mental health and wellbeing isn’t important.”
Ms Balsom supported calls for a public inquiry to be held into TEWV, saying: “An independent inquiry is difficult for families who have been through really difficult times, but it is an opportunity for your situation to be put on the record and for there to be validation that.
“And [an inquiry] would bring some real press interest and political will to make sure that change is put in place, so this doesn’t happen to more families.”