Alyx’s Law: Why We Must Do Better for Young People in Crisis

Some names stay with you forever. Alyx is one of them.

A young man with his whole future ahead of him, Alyx tragically lost his life after mental health services failed to provide the care and response he so desperately needed. His story is heart-breaking, but it is not unique, and that is why his family are fighting for change.

They have launched a petition calling for Alyx’s Law, a new standard for how our mental health services respond to those in crisis. It’s not about politics or paperwork, it’s about saving lives, preventing other families from going through the same unimaginable pain.

We had the honour of looking after Alyx and his family as funeral directors, but now as parents ourselves we are proudly standing beside them in this fight.

What is Alyx’s Law?

Alyx’s Law calls for urgent reforms to make sure no young person is left alone when they ask for help. Among the changes proposed:

• Maximum response times for mental health crisis teams, so support is never dangerously delayed.

• Clearer protocols between police and mental health services, ensuring joined-up responses in emergencies.

• Follow-up care after hospital discharge, rather than leaving families to cope alone.

• Better transition support between child and adult services (CAMHS to AMHS), so young people don’t fall through the cracks.

• Timely re-assessment for complex needs such as autism, ADHD, PTSD, or borderline personality disorder.

• Independent investigations into deaths linked to care failures — with families fully involved and heard.

These are not radical demands. They are basic, humane steps we should already expect in a system meant to protect and care for people.

Why It Matters

Every day, families across the UK struggle to access mental health support for their loved ones. Crisis lines go unanswered. Referrals take months. Services are overstretched and underfunded. And behind every statistic is a person. Someone’s child, sibling, partner, friend.

When the system fails, the consequences are devastating. Alyx’s story is a reminder that these aren’t abstract problems, they are life-and-death realities.

By supporting this petition, we are not only honouring Alyx’s memory but also demanding that lessons are learned. We are saying: no more missed opportunities, no more preventable losses.

How You Can Help

Change starts with awareness, but it doesn’t end there. Signing the petition is one way to show your support for Alyx’s family and for every family fighting the same battle. Sharing it with others helps amplify that voice.

👉 Sign the petition for Alyx’s Law here

No one should die after asking for help.

Alyx’s Law is not just about one young man, it’s about making sure no other family has to stand where his does today. Together, we can raise our voices for compassion, accountability, and change.