Rising number of young people needing mental health support
- 28 Aug
An investigation has found a rise in the number of young people suffering from mental health problems and has said a complete overhaul is needed.
Figures have found that the number of young people aged under 18 referred to Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust has risen by 84% since 2011/12, reports the Eastern Daily Press.
Experts have said that the rise is due to increased pressures on young people and reduction in support services.
Jon Wilson, a consultant psychiatrist and the trust’s clinical lead for youth service, said: “As of September we will launch a new service for children and young people. We have spoken to them and designed the service they want. Something that is modern, relevant and which they will engage with.”
Chris Leaman, policy manager at the Young Minds mental health charity, said of the figures: “There has been a perfect storm. There’s more pressure put on young people, they live in a 24/7 society and can be more prone to things like cyber-bullying, they can be bombarded with images of how they should look and what they should do, schools have become more focussed on exams, which brings more pressure and everything they are told about their prospects when they grow up has been bleak. But for too long these problems have been ignored, children’s mental health services have been under-funded and we are now having to play catch up.”
Dr Wilson, who was part of a national task-force looking at changes needed, said: “The increase is in line with what is being seen nationally. A number of factors affect this, including rising demand for young people needing help with self-harm and eating disorders. The stigma associated with having mental health needs has reduced, which means young people are becoming increasingly confident in seeking help. We are also picking up the pieces of a reduction in services provided by the charitable sector.”
What do you think of this? Tweet us your comments @suppsolutions
Related articles
- 11 Sep
People in Bedfordshire can find mental health support through an audio guide
The guides have been written by clinical psychologists and are available to download in print or listen to as an audio file, reports Bedfordshire News.Dr Judy Baxter, Clinical Director with BCCG and...
- 10 Sep
Police officers in Dorset to receive mental health training
The partnership with the University comes as part of the county’s Mental Health Street Triage Project. It is hoped to equip officers with improved knowledge and skills to assess members of the...
- 09 Sep
People in Peterborough can refer themselves for mental health services
Through a drive to offer support to more people and ease pressure on doctors, people living in Peterborough can self-refer themselves to mental health services, reports Peterborough Today.Dr Adrian...
- 08 Sep
The first mental health centre for men
The site has been set up by Alex Eaton, whose dad took his own life and has suffered with mental health problems himself, in Burton upon Trent, reports BBC Newsbeat.Mr Eaton said: "We are the only...
- 07 Sep
NHS trust told no mental health beds available
Dr Bohdan Solomka has said that on Sunday a lack of beds were applied across the NHS and among private providers, reports the BBC. The director of the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trusts...
- 07 Sep
Over 16,000 mental health referrals for young people have been rejected
Between July last year and June this year, data from the NHS has found that Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services rejected 5,396 referrals, reports STV News.Over the last three years 16,565...
- 04 Sep
New mental health centre to open in Ardwick
Plans to build a new £6m treatment and recovery centre in Manchester have been revealed. It will be built in Ardwick and be run by Alternative Futures Group, reports the Manchester Evening...
- 03 Sep
Research finds more chance of re-offending if mental health issues are present
Research has found that ex-prisoners with mental health problems and drug and alcohol misuse are more likely to commit violent offences after release than other former prisoners, reports the...
- 02 Sep
Drop in the number of people with mental health issues held in cells
Recent figures have found that the Crisis Care Concordat has seen over 10,000 people receive care from mental health nurses with the support from police officers, reports the Burton Mail.Figures have...
- 02 Sep
Mental health social work scheme accepting applications
100 places are now available for applicants who have a 2:1 or above undergraduate degree and can demonstrate attributes such as resilience and empathy, reports Community Care.The Think Ahead...
Responding to the DWP Consultation: Housing Benefit Reform - Supported Housing "I found the event informative and timely it helped me to complete our response to DWP without which I would have struggled." S.S. - Safe House
