‘Buckling’ NHS fails to treat 250,000 children with mental health problems

‘Buckling’ NHS fails to treat 250,000 children with mental health problems - The Guardian

This article is a damning indictment of the current state of mental health support for children and young people, and highlights again the issues that children and young people are facing when it comes to getting appropriate, timely support for their mental health.

"A quarter of a million children in the UK with mental health problems have been denied help by the NHS as it struggles to manage surging case loads against a backdrop of a crisis in child mental health."

"Some NHS trusts are failing to offer treatment to 60% of those referred by GPs"

"Average waits for a first appointment vary by trust from 10 days to three years"

"Even under-18s who are seriously unwell and have self-harmed or considered suicide are being denied care because they are deemed not ill enough."

"Former children’s commissioner Anne Longfield said long waits are resulting in only the worst crises being prioritised. She has heard repeated stories of children who had attempted suicide failing to be offered support because they did not meet a threshold of multiple attempts."

"Too many children are being seen in crisis and hospitalised, which earlier intervention could have prevented."

This doesn't need to happen; there's a highly trained workforce in the UK that are being overlooked by policymakers. They could help with providing the mental health support that is so sorely needed. The Society are working hard to ensure our members voices are heard, and to help safeguard our young people and future generations against the effects of a lack of care and support.