Children’s Mental Health

Questions whether the statement that white kids from disadvantaged backgrounds have worse educational outcomes aligns with Rosena Allin-Khan's comments.

Supports Allin-Khan’s call, noting that children who have suffered cancer need mental health support as part of their treatment package.

Praises Allin-Khan's speech and contrasts the Welsh Labour Government's approach with what is described as a 'shocking' English approach.

Highlights the issue of 16 to 18-year-olds falling off CAMHS lists, leaving them with nowhere to turn for help.

Raises concern about a case where a child must wait a year after being referred to CAMHS, questioning the acceptability of such delays.

Emphasises that black and minority ethnic young people experience particular mental health pressures and need more analysis of their support needs.

Describes how the coronavirus crisis has exacerbated existing problems with CAMHS, affecting children across all backgrounds negatively.

Questions Labour's responsibility for mental health issues due to their support of lockdown measures and closing schools.

Proposes a collaborative approach, suggesting the report on school exclusions could be used as a basis to improve mental health support in schools.

Links children’s mental health with air quality and suggests more needs to be done in diverse and deprived areas where pollution is worse.

Stresses the importance of early intervention and prevention, particularly for eating disorders, as longer delays worsen conditions.

Supports Allin-Khan’s position on staff retention in mental health services, recognising pressure on skilled professionals.

The Minister of State for Public Health and Primary Care, Maggie Throup, opened the debate by emphasising the importance of children's mental health in light of recent challenges posed by the pandemic. She acknowledged that while some young people benefited from lockdowns, many others faced disruptions to their education and home lives. The Government is committed to providing support through investments such as £17 million for 12,000 schools and colleges, aiming to help children feel supported in their educational journey. Additionally, she highlighted the NHS long-term plan which includes an additional £2.3 billion investment by 2023-24 to support mental health services.

Asked for more detailed information and opportunities to discuss the issue further with relevant government officials.

Enquired about parental support resources available to help children dealing with mental health issues, highlighting the importance of family support in improving children’s mental wellbeing.

Inquired specifically about community and school-based support for young people who have witnessed traumatic events such as fatalities due to knife crime.

Cameron highlights the impact of the pandemic on children's mental health, noting increased anxiety, depression, thoughts of self-harm, and social isolation. She advocates for a tailored local response to mental health needs and mentions Scotland’s recovery plan involving community-based services and youth advisory groups.

Welcomes the debate on children's mental health, highlighting the increased attention and openness regarding young people’s mental wellbeing. Commends Youth Concern for supporting young people in Aylesbury and acknowledges the challenges faced by CAMHS due to the pandemic. He praises the Government's efforts to prioritise education during the pandemic and highlights improvements made in youth custody through frameworks like SECURE STAIRS, emphasising that the Conservative government is delivering on its promises.

Critiques the lack of progress in mental health treatment for children and young people since David Cameron's pledge in 2016. Mentions that Young Minds highlights a crisis in youth mental health, exacerbated by pre-existing inequalities such as high rates among LGBTQ+ individuals, those with autism, and young carers. Points out increased referrals to mental health services and waits of weeks for treatment, noting a 77% rise in children needing specialist treatment for severe crises and almost 117,000 being turned away last year despite professional referrals.

Mental health services in schools are insufficient, with only one day per week dedicated mental health workers. Labour committed to providing full-time mental health professionals in every secondary school and part-time professionals in primary schools, along with open-access clubs and guaranteed treatment within a month for all who need it.

I am pleased to contribute to this important debate on young people’s mental health. The pandemic has had a significant impact on many young people, and I know that our schools and colleges have done huge amounts to support their students through this period. This work must start from an early age, and I particularly welcome the work being done in Stoke-on-Trent and nationally through the early years healthy development review. As a city, we must do more to build on the support for the most vulnerable families to ensure that every young person has the best start in life and can achieve their full potential. Not enough young people are getting treatment as quickly as needed, which I know the Government are determined to address. It is important that young people who need this support get it now. Our local mental health services are doing more to help address these issues, including by increasing training and mentoring in schools to help staff better support young people.

I am pleased to be able to speak in this hugely important debate. The facts and figures speak for themselves: a 77% rise in the number of children needing specialist treatment in 2021; three quarters of children not being seen within four weeks of being referred to children’s mental health services, and there were half a million referrals in 2021 according to the Children’s Commissioner. We need to do more. I echo my hon. Friend for Batley and Spen who said that although we are looking at the impact of the pandemic, this problem predates the pandemic. Many of us have taken part in previous debates to ask for action and Government progress. Although the pandemic has certainly made things worse for children, this situation predates the pandemic as the Minister knows. We need to make sure that there is early intervention for young people with mental health problems, with professional help, and we need to take local action as well.

It is very clear that this is an incredibly difficult time for our young people’s mental health. Clearly the disruption caused to education has contributed towards their anxiety over exams, as has not being able to socialise and do the things that they love. That has all contributed towards the significant increase in our young people needing mental health support. It is important to bear in mind things like social media. When I grew up and finished A-levels, we had Facebook Messenger, and I had Facebook when I went to university. Serious regulation and intervention will have to be made in this area, and we cannot be overly libertarian on the impact of social media on the mental health of our young people.

Acknowledging the appeal for further services and investment in children's mental health, I support the Government's efforts in this area. However, the policy adopted during the pandemic was a misuse of language; ideals of duty, sacrifice, community, and putting friends and family first were subverted by the imperative to isolate and cut off relationships due to state guidance. This outsourced social responsibility to the bureaucracy, leading to mass testing, lockdowns, vaccination, and ultimately undermining personal freedoms. While the Prime Minister and Cabinet corrected course after December's vote, it is crucial we avoid further lockdowns or mass vaccinations moving forward. We must prioritise children and young people in the years ahead.

Since becoming an MP, I have raised concerns about children's mental health every month due to a constant stream of parents and carers seeking desperately needed support for their children. Despite warm words from Ministers, the reality is that we are not seeing sufficient progress on the ground. We need accountability through detailed operational spending data at local level and reporting on waiting times for children’s mental health services. Behind these statistics are real struggles: children unable to do everyday activities due to anxiety or worse; parents in despair as they wait years for treatment, leading to worsening conditions. Schools report a 50% to 100% increase in need since the pandemic, with staff struggling and schools turning to parental fundraising for mental health support. We need a trained counsellor in every school and more specialist provision to address this crisis.

While agreeing with the sentiment of focusing on children's mental health, there is a pressing need for action beyond setting targets. Mental health funding has increased from £10 billion to £14 billion, yet numbers are rising exponentially, particularly in eating disorders. Addressing why this is happening is crucial; social media reform through the Online Safety Bill could play a key role here. Concerns have been raised about training for social workers and support within the care system for young people. Staff shortages across all professions complicate matters further, but we must ensure support for those in high-pressure roles dealing with increased referrals from children in care. While more money and professionals are being poured into mental health services, understanding causes and implementing preventive measures remain critical.

Madders discusses the rise in mental health issues among children since 2019, citing staff shortages leading to increased waiting times for CAMHS services. He also mentions that one-third of young people are being turned away despite professional referrals.

Cates acknowledges the crisis in children's mental health but suggests looking at root causes such as political threats, internet safety, and family breakdowns. She emphasises the importance of strong families and community support for fostering virtues and values that contribute to lifelong mental health.

Russell-Moyle criticises those attributing the crisis solely to external factors like covid or family breakdowns, stating that it is a result of a decade-long failure with reduced youth work, Sure Start centres, and school counsellors. He provides examples of constituents facing long waits for assessments and support.

Higginbotham welcomes the debate's theme and acknowledges progress in mental health awareness but stresses the significant pressures on young people today, including social media and the impact of covid. He praises initiatives like Burnley FC in the Community for their local efforts to support mental health.

Discussed the issue of in-patient treatment for children with severe mental health crisis, highlighting that many are sent far from home and isolated from their support networks. Cited a Health and Social Care Committee report indicating inappropriate care practices and long waiting times for treatment. Emphasised the unsuitability of A&E for treating people in mental health crisis, mentioning an increase in attendances by young people with psychiatric conditions since 2010. Advocated for separate rooms for autistic children in A&E and highlighted issues like adverse childhood experiences and inadequate temporary accommodation for those fleeing abusive homes.

Acknowledged the importance of various community members who support children, including council officers, health professionals, teachers, volunteers, and parents. Raised concerns about the end of the national lottery HeadStart grant in Cornwall, which funded trauma-informed training for schools and mental health support. Emphasised the need for routine, stability, and stimulation for children's mental health, advocating for the use of Cornwall’s natural environment to promote confidence and resilience.

Addressed challenges faced by children in Feltham and Heston due to both online and offline issues. Highlighted the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on young people’s mental health, citing a high need for support with 71% of children not seen within four weeks after being referred to services. Proposed a guarantee for treatment within a month, full-time mental health professionals in secondary schools, part-time professionals in primary schools, and mental health hubs in every community.

Acknowledged the critical importance of early childhood development for preventing future issues. Criticised the impact of social media on young people’s mental health. Praised local authorities and professionals for their efforts during the pandemic despite challenges, calling for an easier way for parents to access support through family hubs. Emphasised the need for a holistic approach combining virtual and face-to-face support.

The speaker argues that there needs to be a focus on local accountability when addressing mental health issues. He mentions the lack of resources in Bury and calls for bespoke services tailored to the specific needs of each constituency, emphasising the importance of local ownership and investment in solutions. He supports the idea of special educational needs and mental health hubs as an interesting model but asks for more detail about how these would be implemented.

The speaker discusses the long-term impact of inadequate mental health services, noting that half of adults with lifelong mental health conditions first experienced symptoms by age 14. She mentions increased demand during the pandemic due to factors such as isolation, loss of loved ones, and financial difficulties. The speaker emphasises the importance of early intervention and provision of appropriate support.

The speaker focuses on children who are victims of sexual violence and domestic abuse, arguing for specialist trauma counselling for these cases. She highlights a particularly concerning issue: the long wait times for justice in child abuse cases and unsafe living conditions for affected individuals while waiting for trials.

Children’s mental health has been ignored by the Government for far too long, with a third of children in need of support turned away from services despite referrals. Waiting times are agonising, with three quarters of children not seen within four weeks post referral across England and 60% in my area. Early intervention is vital but local charities have had to step up due to cuts. Labour proposes guaranteed mental health treatment within a month, recruitment of new staff, open-access hubs in every community, and specialist support in schools.

Eating disorders are the mental health disorders with the highest mortality rate. Cases have increased fourfold in the last two years due to complex causes often starting at school age, and recovery takes longer than having the disorder itself. Training for doctors is crucial but there's a serious lack of it on medical courses. Prevention and early intervention improve recovery chances, yet community services face backlogs and rely heavily on the voluntary sector which needs more funding.

The dire lack of children’s mental health services is a crisis. Parents are beyond desperate waiting for help, with some cases lasting up to four years before an appointment. Labour wants all children seen within four weeks but the reality shows otherwise. We need systemic change, restoring preventive mental health services in schools and communities, as current provision fails to support complex long-term cases adequately.

I am glad we are talking about this issue today, because the figures quoted at the beginning of the debate are shocking. In my area of south Yorkshire and Bassetlaw, three quarters of children referred to mental health services are not seen within the four-week period. I find that beyond belief, but in other areas of the country that rises to nine in 10 children. That is a horrific indictment of the Government’s approach and just goes to show that setting a target is only half the job. The energy and resources need to be put into meeting it too. Other Members have eloquently outlined the broader picture of the crisis in children’s mental health, and Labour’s plan to address it. I want to use the opportunity of this debate to highlight a particular mental health problem and the effect that the lack of specialist services is having on children. The pandemic has seen soaring numbers of children suffering eating disorders. Some statistics we have not heard yet today are that between April and October last year 4,238 children were admitted to hospital with an eating disorder. That is an increase of 41% on the figures in 2020 and an increase of 59% on 2019, when the figure was 2,508. That is a dramatic increase in eating disorder inpatients, which should be incredibly concerning to all of us.

When I was in school under the then Conservative-led coalition Government, I remember friends and classmates whose mental health was in crisis. They struggled to be seen, and they waited months, even years. Since then, the situation has only got worse. I am regularly contacted by parents who are caught in the snare of long wait times for underfunded and non-specialist services when trying to access mental health support for their children. In Nottinghamshire, 78% of children referred to child and adolescent mental health services wait longer than four weeks to be seen. Between April and October 2021, just six months, more than 409,000 children were referred to CAMHS for self-harm and suicidal thoughts. I challenge anyone here to tell me that that does not constitute a crisis and that it should not be dealt with as such.

I am grateful to all hon. Members who have spoken in this important debate. We have heard this afternoon many moving and devastating accounts of the ways in which children and young people who are struggling with their mental health are being let down by a system that simply cannot deliver the support they need, and by a Government who have no ambition for our children and young people and who refuse even to acknowledge the scale of the challenge. Good mental health and wellbeing are vital for our young children, while poor mental health is a barrier to learning that prevents children from fulfilling their potential. It affects children’s sense of self and how positive they feel about the future. It can impact their whole lives and for some, poor mental health can, tragically, be fatal.

The minister thanks all Members for their contributions and emphasises that everyone wants the same thing: better mental health support for children. He discusses resilience, identification and intervention, and specialist support. The government has allocated £2.3 billion to expand NHS-funded mental health support, aiming to help at least 345,000 more children and young people by 2023-24. The minister also addresses specific points raised by hon. Members regarding online safety, waiting times, school-based professionals, family hubs, early intervention, and eating disorders.