Young people’s mental health is a ‘worsening crisis’. Action is needed

source: The Guardian
originally published: 23 July 2018

In both the UK and US, services for young people are being cut, leaving those from marginalised groups at greatest risk of suicide.

One recent report called the problem a “ silent catastrophe” while a survey of teachers labelled it an “ epidemic”. But, whatever the language deployed to describe the scale of mental health challenges facing Britain’s young people, it has to be addressed immediately.

NHS figures published last month revealed that almost 400,000 children and young people aged 18 and under are in contact with the health service for mental health problems. According to the figures, the number of “active referrals” by GPs in April was a third higher than the same period two years prior. Those seeking help for conditions such as depression and anxiety showed a sharp increase.

Demand for help is up, but services are diminishing. Last month also saw new figures showing a 30% fall since 2009 in the number of hospital beds for people with acute mental health conditions. This follows the revelation in November 2017 that two-thirds of children referred for specialist mental healthcare are not receiving treatment.

Last week, the charity Barnardo’s warned that ministers were “ sleepwalking” into a deeper crisis in children’s mental health, after the government’s response to a parliamentary select committee report and green paper failed to promise urgent action to plug “gaping holes” in services.

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