Support for mentally ill children flawed

PARENTS of children with mental health problems “can’t find help they need”, a charity has said amid an increase in requests for support.

Young Minds said 13,228 people contacted the charity’s parent helpline between Jan 1 and Dec 8 last year, while an additional 2,829 parents and carers needed urgent crisis support.

The main issues parents needed help with over the last year were their child’s anxiety, anger, depression and low mood, behaviour and autism.

The data on people needing crisis support is new for 2023 and concerns children at immediate risk, such as those feeling suicidal, according to findings shared with the PA news agency.

Parents who need this type of help may be told to call 999 or to go to A&E, while others may be directed to 24-hour mental health services in their area or other charities, such as the Samaritans. Overall, the number of people contacting Young Minds’ helpline has increased since the pandemic. In 2019, some 12,027 people sought guidance.

Laura Bunt, Young Minds’ chief executive, said: “Every day, our parent helpline receives calls from people struggling to find support for young people who need help with their mental health. These are often young people with multiple mental health conditions.

“Many can’t find the help they need in their community ... others face months waiting for support while becoming more ill. Other young people are turned away from services because they’re told they’re not ill enough.

“The Government must commit to providing early-support hubs in every community for young people to get help and reduce waiting times.”

Stevie Goulding, senior manager for parents and carers services at Young Minds, said: “If your child is consistently struggling, for example if you see a sustained change in their behaviour, sleeping or eating patterns, or if they seem to be upset over a long period of time, it’s important to take it seriously [and] act on the warning signs if you start to feel concerned.”

A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care said its investment of an additional £2.3 billion a year in mental health services for children and young people by 2024 would enable an additional 345,000 children and young people to access Nhs-funded mental health support.

‘Young people are turned away from services after being told that they are not ill enough’