Children’s secretary Ed Balls and his wife, Pontefract and Castleford MP Yvette Cooper, cut the ribbon to the purpose-built Insight centre, which will offer support to residents aged between 14 and 35 who are at risk of, or experiencing, a first episode of psychosis.

Young people supported by the sevice – run by the South West Yorkshire Mental Health Trust and Wakefield District Primary Care Trust – have experienced problems like substance abuse and offending behaviour.

Mr Balls said: “Having good mental health enables children, young people and adults to make the most of their opportunities in life. But we know that for a minority of children and young people, they are at increased risk of developing mental health problems than their peers and ten per cent of children and young people have clinically defined mental health problems.”

He added: “Insight is an excellent example of how services are responding to the needs of local young people in Wakefield, Calderdale and Kirklees areas. It provides flexible, timely and effective support as and when it is needed, supporting families, helping to reduce stress and enabling young people to take control of their own lives.”

The service – which has been running from its new building for a year – aims to reduce the stigma of mental illness and offer health promotion and education.