This week the Independent reported on the continued challenges in finding support for young people who have mental health difficulties. Their findings suggest that waiting times are longer than they have ever been, that referrals can get rejected as the thresholds for help have risen.
Unfortunately, those who are in crisis get missed and this is connected to what the Independent refer to as “decades of inaction”. The NHS has and continues to roll out teams to support children in school and they suggest that families get in touch if their child is in need, however with a predicted six children out of each class needing support, the requirements are higher than what has ever been known before. The Independent suggests that the problems have arisen, not only due to inaction, but the “perfect storm” of Covid-19 and increasing inequalities.
My thoughts are that the adult mental health crisis is also impacting on the situation, together with the negative impact of gaming and social media - problems that are still relatively new and we are only just finding out about.
Are you a parent, carer or someone working with children? If you would like to find out more how to support children’s mental health, please feel free to contact me. I am a child psychotherapist (UKCP Registered); a counsellor; arts and play therapist, covering Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire. You can contact me here