04.01.11
Government invests £32m in young mental health
The Government has invested £32m in children and young people’s mental health, including talking therapies and partnerships with universities, to improve health services.
The mental health strategy, ‘No Health without Mental Health’, published earlier this year, has a focus on early and effective intervention.
One in ten children aged 5-16 years currently has a clinically diagnosable mental health problem, and this can cost up to £59,000 per child every year.
Health Minister Paul Burstow said: “We’re working with young people and staff to start to change the way mental health is delivered by the NHS.
“We know psychological therapies work. Our aim is to transform existing mental health services for children so our children get the best treatment possible, from services that are more responsive to their needs.”
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “This investment in children’s mental health is vital. Talking therapies are proven to work, and so we are expanding services to treat children and young people with the tailored care that they need.
“Mental health must have the same priority as physical health. Giving children the treatment they need as soon as they need it will help ensure that millions of children suffering from a mental health problem will have a fairer opportunity to succeed in life.”
Children’s Minister Sarah Teather said that having a mental health problem during a key time in a child’s development can “have an impact on their future life chances and prospects”.
She said: “That’s why it’s really vital that health and education services work together and intervene early when problems first emerge. The extra funding for psychological therapies will help ensure that every child gets the support they need at the right time.”
Dr Andrew McCulloch, chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation, said: “We are very pleased to see the Government is fulfilling its commitment to invest more in talking therapies for children and young people.
“Going forward, the Government must ensure that talking therapies are carried out by experienced psychologists who are qualified to work with children, and that their sessions are appropriately supervised.”
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