Comment: EPI report on children’s mental health services

Jenny Coles, ADCS Vice President, said:

“Poor mental health and wellbeing can have a lasting impact on a child’s life chances. This report describes a mental health system that is not serving our children and young people well enough, where children face a postcode lottery, significant waiting times and difficulties accessing the services they need. The report identifies the transition from child to adult mental health services as a major problem area, we would agree. While some child and adolescent mental health services are extending support to 18 and sometimes even 25, too many services stop at 16 leaving a gap in support before young people become eligible for adult services. ADCS welcomed the priorities set out for children and young people’s mental health in the NHS Long Term Plan, however, it was not sufficiently ambitious enough. Much more needs to be done to ensure children receive the right mental health and wellbeing support, at the right time, in the right place, whether it’s specialist provision or vital early help and preventative services. We want to see this government make children’s social, emotional and mental health a priority – the benefits extend beyond the individual to society as a whole.”

ENDS

---

---