Andrew Gregory – The Guardian Sept 23, 2021
Record numbers of children and young people are seeking access to NHS mental health services, figures show, as the devastating toll of the pandemic is revealed in a new analysis.
In just three months, nearly 200,000 young people have been referred to mental health services – almost double pre-pandemic levels, according to the report by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
Experts say the figures show the true scale of the impact of the last 18 months on children and young people across the country.
“These alarming figures reflect what I and many other frontline psychiatrists are seeing in our clinics on a daily basis,” said Dr Elaine Lockhart, the college’s child and adolescent faculty chair. “The pandemic has had a devastating effect on the nation’s mental health, but it’s becoming increasingly clear that children and young people are suffering terribly.”
The college analysed NHS Digital data on mental health referrals for children and young people aged 18 and under. It found that between April and June this year, 190,271 children aged 18 and under were referred to children and young people’s mental health services – almost twice the number (97,342) referred during the same period in 2019.
Urgent referrals had also risen steeply. From April to June in 2019, 5,219 children and young people were referred for urgent care. This rose to 8,552 in 2021, the college said.
At the end of June, 340,694 people were in contact with children and young people’s mental health services, up from 225,480 in June 2019.
Lockhart said early help for children and young people would be “key to recovery” as she called on the newly appointed education secretary, Nadhim Zahawi, to prioritise children’s mental health.
Schools should have plans in place to respond to pupils’ mental health needs, she added. There must also be more investment in staff training to improve the rollout of mental health support teams.
“Early intervention is key to recovery,” said Lockhart. “Schools have a critical role to play in this and the education secretary must do all that he can to prioritise pupils’ mental health. Children’s mental health services must also be properly funded and properly staffed if we are to treat the ever-growing number needing mental health care. Without investment we run the risk of many more needing crisis help.”
Eating disorder treatment services were seeing more patients than ever, the college said, but it also warned of an “unprecedented” number of children still waiting for care.
One mother whose teenage daughter relapsed into anorexia during the pandemic, who did not wish to be named, said: “The pandemic has been devastating for my daughter and for our family. The disruption to her normal routines and socialising really affected her recovery. She was spending a lot less time doing the things she enjoys and a lot more time alone with her thoughts.
“Unfortunately, she relapsed, becoming so unwell she was admitted to hospital and sectioned. After 72 days in hospital with no specialist eating disorder bed becoming available, we brought her home where I had to tube-feed her for 10 weeks.
“My daughter urgently needed specialist help for this life-threatening illness, but services are completely overwhelmed because so many young people need help. It’s a terrifying situation for patients and families to be in.”
The kid is smiling under that mask as dad swells with pride knowing his semen hasn’t gone to waste. Dad thinks, ‘maybe, just maybe, my boy is going to play in the big leagues one day…’
“The newly appointed education secretary, Nadhim Zahawi”…well that’s a right proper British name, Nadhim Zahawi. Yet another street-shitter immigrant allowed to be placed in a position of authority. I’m sure Zahawi will return the education system to traditional, sensible values and stress the development of critical thinking skills over overt indoctrination *cough cough*
I am not a parent, but I am still a fierce advocate for protecting children. I am stunned at how so many parents have been sitting by meekly as this massive Covid-1984 crime against humanity has been utterly destroying the physiological, psychological, and moral well-being of their children. The f***ing cowards are a disgrace. If you have children and have not been vociferously outspoken about what has been done to them, shame on you. In fact, just being outspoken is not enough; responsible parents should be downright violent in protecting their children. Bloody cowards.
Revolution NOW
The Zionist Overlords leading their Christianized white lemmings off the cliff–as they supplant the white morons with Afro-Asian simian hominids, mongrels & A.I.
in war times children will understand
that this world is crazy + hell . grown
in 2. worldwar i made that experience
but my guilt is that i forgot about in
prosperous times 1950 – 95 . now I
UNDERSTAND !
Nico X has been licking Zahawi’s ballbag again. Dirty bitch. I’m sure that Nadhim will do the same job as the previous incumbent.
All they had to do was ignore the suited Scum.
@laquan..I don’t know what nonsense you’re jabbering about, but its not my fault you’re a simian hominid…blame your God, not me.