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'Vast gap' in child mental health support in England Mental health: One in four young women struggling
(about 11 hours later)
There is a "vast gap" in the support provided by the NHS for children with mental health problems, the Children's Commissioner in England says. Nearly one in four young women have a mental illness, with emotional problems such as depression and anxiety the most common, figures for England show.
The official NHS report found young women aged 17 to 19 were twice as likely as young men to have problems, with 23.9% reporting a disorder.
Problems are less common in younger age groups, but are rising albeit slowly.
In children aged five to 15, one in nine had a disorder, up from one in 10 when the review was done 13 years ago.
The findings are based on a survey of more than 9,000 young people.
The results have been gathered by statistics body NHS Digital and assessed by experts to try to ensure only diagnosable conditions are included.
It comes as the Children's Commissioner for England warned there was a "vast gap" in NHS mental health support.
Anne Longfield's report criticised slow progress made in improving specialist community services for children.Anne Longfield's report criticised slow progress made in improving specialist community services for children.
She said waiting times were too long and was concerned about numbers being rejected by services in some areas. She said waiting times were too long and she was concerned about numbers being rejected by services in some areas.
It comes as the NHS prepares to publish a major report into mental health problems among the young. Nearly half of those in their late teens with mental health problems had self-harmed or attempted suicide. For younger teens it was about a quarter.
The figures will be released by NHS Digital on Thursday, after its statisticians were asked by the government to investigate the scale of the challenge. 'I've missed so much of my life'
The last time this was done - in 2005 - around 10% of children were found to be struggling with a mental health problem. Emma Blezard, 18, says her mental health problems have robbed her of her teenage years.
But the Children's Commissioner expects that figure to rise. She started experiencing difficulties when she was 13, suffering from anxiety and panic attacks before developing an eating disorder.
What has the Children's Commissioner found? It was a year before she let on to her parents. She ended up having suicidal thoughts and was sectioned in hospital at one point.
The commissioner looked at specialist community mental health services provided by the NHS known as CAHMS. "I've missed so much of my life because of this illness - I've lost friends, I've missed birthday, holidays.
Ms Longfield said there was a "vast gap" between what was needed and what was provided. "I wish I could do things over."
An analysis of NHS figures from 2017-18 show that 325,000 children were treated - fewer than 3% of the population. Even when she was receiving treatment, she felt she did not deserve it.
The figures showed that more than a third of people referred to the services were not accepted. "I became really isolated. At school I spent a lot of time out of lessons with the nurse. It was very difficult."
This could be because their needs were not severe enough to need help and could be dealt with through other services, such as in school or by councils. She has travelled all over the country for treatment and says she still struggles although her problems are more manageable now.
"I don't think they will ever go away."
Is social media to blame for problems young people face?
It certainly seems to be a factor. The NHS Digital review found children aged 11 to 19 with a mental health problem were more likely to use social media.
Nearly a third of them spent over four hours a day on social media.
Those who did not have a mental health problem were two to three times less likely to spend that amount of time on it.
The young people with mental health problems were more likely to say their mood was affected by the number of "likes" they got and they were also more likely to compare themselves to others on social media.
The report cited cyber-bullying as an issue too.
The majority of problems reported, particularly in the older age groups, are linked to emotional disorders.
These are on the rise whereas the other disorders they looked at - behavioural and hyperactivity - have remained relatively stable over time.
University College London psychiatrist Dr Michael Bloomfield said: "Adolescence is a critical period for a person's development, particularly as our brains go through important changes during our teenage years.
"Since prevention is better than cure, it is really important for all of us in society to understand together why this is and start reducing the rates of mental disorders in young people."
How many children get help?
The NHS is only treating a fraction of the young people who have problems.
The Children's Commissioner analysis of NHS figures from 2017-18 show that 325,000 children were treated by community services, while there are another 5,000 in hospital.
That is fewer than 3% of the population.
The figures showed that more than a third of young people referred to community services were turned away.
This could be because their needs were not severe enough to need help and could be dealt with through other services, such as in school or by charities and council social care teams.
But Ms Longfield said she was concerned children were getting turned away because services simply did not have time to see them.But Ms Longfield said she was concerned children were getting turned away because services simply did not have time to see them.
Her report also raised concerns about waiting times. Just under half of people who received treatment after a referral in 2017-18 had waited longer than six weeks. The average waiting time was nearly two months.Her report also raised concerns about waiting times. Just under half of people who received treatment after a referral in 2017-18 had waited longer than six weeks. The average waiting time was nearly two months.
What needs to happen?What needs to happen?
The commissioner believes children's services are under-funded. Around £700m is spent on CAHMS and eating disorders support. By comparison, services for adults receive 15 times more despite children representing 20% of the population.The commissioner believes children's services are under-funded. Around £700m is spent on CAHMS and eating disorders support. By comparison, services for adults receive 15 times more despite children representing 20% of the population.
The commissioner said an extra £1.7bn would need to be invested to bring children's services in line.The commissioner said an extra £1.7bn would need to be invested to bring children's services in line.
She said this could help pay for more early help by funding NHS counsellors in schools for example.She said this could help pay for more early help by funding NHS counsellors in schools for example.
Emma Thomas, chief executive of Young Minds, said the commissioner was right to highlight the problem. Emma Thomas, chief executive of Young Minds, said there was a lack of support for children.
She said the charity gets "calls every day" about children who are waiting for help or have been denied help.She said the charity gets "calls every day" about children who are waiting for help or have been denied help.
"This can have devastating consequences - in some cases, children start to self-harm, become suicidal or drop out of school while waiting for the help they need.""This can have devastating consequences - in some cases, children start to self-harm, become suicidal or drop out of school while waiting for the help they need."
She agreed early intervention and better funding were essential.She agreed early intervention and better funding were essential.
What is the government doing?What is the government doing?
Both NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care have made improving children's mental health care a priority.Both NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care have made improving children's mental health care a priority.
In fact, the commissioner's report noted that investment was increasing and there had been good progress in terms of tackling eating disorders with new services and strict targets for access.In fact, the commissioner's report noted that investment was increasing and there had been good progress in terms of tackling eating disorders with new services and strict targets for access.
Last month, in his Budget, the chancellor announced at least £2bn of the extra £20bn earmarked for the NHS by 2023 would go on mental health.Last month, in his Budget, the chancellor announced at least £2bn of the extra £20bn earmarked for the NHS by 2023 would go on mental health.
A new four-week target for access to CAHMS is also going to be piloted soon.A new four-week target for access to CAHMS is also going to be piloted soon.
A spokesman for NHS England said services were improving and in the coming years another 70,000 children will be able to access support.A spokesman for NHS England said services were improving and in the coming years another 70,000 children will be able to access support.
Ministers have also being putting pressure on social media firms to do more about cyber-bullying and aggressive behaviour online.
One option being considered is a new regulator for the internet.