Daily Express

Javid urged to act as child mental health cases rocket

- By Giles Sheldrick Chief Reporter

CHILD mental health crisis referrals have soared by 150 per cent in three years, data reveals.

Experts said it proves help is not available early enough for those most in peril.

Latest NHS statistics show 19,265 people were referred to crisis care teams in January, up from 16,791 in 2019. Of these 2,058 were under 18, compared to 828 in 2019.

Campaigner­s said without immediate action, a perfect storm of the Covid pandemic, cost-of-living crisis and crippled economy will see the grim picture deteriorat­e.

The figures come at the start of Mental Health Awareness Week and as Health Secretary Sajid Javid attempts to formulate a 10-year plan to fix services.

For decades mental health has been the Cinderella of the NHS, with lengthy access to treatment. Some have told of waits of more than a year for talking therapies.

Just a third of children who need mental health support are receiving it.

The crisis prompted this newspaper to launch its By Your Side campaign last year to fight for better mental health provision.

Just 10 weeks after we put the issue at the centre of the national conversati­on, Mr Javid announced a root-and-branch review of the fragile framework of support.

Yesterday he said: “The British public are incredibly resilient but I know the last two years have been challengin­g for us all and this has impacted people’s mental health.

“We continue to expand and transform our mental health services under the NHS Long Term Plan and are investing an additional £2.3billion a year into mental health services by 2023-’24, on top of the £500million we have made available to address the impact of the pandemic.

“But more needs to be done. I’ve launched a call for evidence to seek views on what we can do to improve services and tackle the causes – this will inform a 10-year plan to keep the nation in positive mental wellbeing and level up mental health with physical health. I encourage everyone to respond.”

Mental health charity Mind has begged the Government to commit £1.5billion to treat children and young people – the hardest hit by the pandemic – over the next three years. It wants a network of early support hubs to help young people before they reach crisis point.

These would provide vital support for 11 to 25-year-olds when they start to experience problems, with no need for a referral or appointmen­t.

The NHS’s flagship service –

Improving Access to Psychologi­cal Therapies (IAPT) – offers psychologi­cal therapies for conditions like depression, generalise­d anxiety, social anxiety, panic and agoraphobi­a, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and body dysmorphic disorder.

The NHS claims 75 per cent enter treatment within six weeks, and 95 per cent within 18 weeks.

 ?? Picture: GETTY ?? Speaking up…William and Kate have helped to change conversati­on around mental health in Britain
Picture: GETTY Speaking up…William and Kate have helped to change conversati­on around mental health in Britain
 ?? ?? Seeking views...Javid
Seeking views...Javid

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