Children in crisis don’t need a celebrity ambassador, they need a fully funded mental health service
In response to Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, Boris Johnson announced that the government has appointed Love Island star Dr Alex George to be the nation’s youth mental health ambassador. The A&E doctor has been tasked with prioritising mental health in the wake of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic which has had a devastating impact on children and young people’s mental health.
However, the problem goes far deeper. Thanks to a decade of Tory austerity, children’s mental health services are at breaking point and have been for years. Service users and campaigners took to Twitter to highlight the government glossing over the deeply entrenched problems of a criminally underfunded, understaffed service.
Government cuts
Mental health campaigner Ilona Burton shared some shocking facts about government cuts to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS):
CCGs had only seen £75m of the £250m they’d expected in that first year.
– Since March 2020, referrals to CAMHS for eating disorders has risen by over 50% in some areas
– Lewisham Council is currently planning to cut £250,000 from its contribution to CAMHS— ilona burton (@ilonacatherine) February 3, 2021
Read on...
“Underfunded” and “understaffed”
Steph Horrocks highlighted their experience of being rushed through an “underfunded/understaffed” system:
My own experience with CAMHS at age 16/17 felt very rushed and lacking in real support, and that is 100% *not* the fault of the doctors I spoke to, but rather a systematic issue that causes everyone and everything to feel spread too thin.
— Steph Horrocks (@svhorrocks) February 3, 2021
One parent recalled children’s mental health services letting down her son with autism on a number of occasions:
I saw CAMHS trending and I felt my anxiety spike. Can't tell you the number of times it let down my ASD son. Tell me, how bad do you actually have to be to access its 'services'?
— Poppy Cooper/ Kirsten Hesketh (@Kirsten_Hesketh) February 3, 2021
A former service user shared their experience of late diagnosis:
Ironically, I was diagnosed 5 years later in the same CAMHS service. But many of my mental health problems could have been prevented, or at least reduced if I understood who I was
— Louisa (@lou_bradshaw) February 1, 2021
Jessica Thorman highlighted an issue that many young people face – an end to support upon turning 18. The abrupt removal of mental health support at this stage in life can be extremely disruptive and detrimental to young people’s mental health:
I was dropped by camhs two days before my 18th birthday (august) unrecovered, without ANY aftercare, had been in a&e in the June and the only number I was given was Samaritans. WE NEED CHANGE.
— Jessica Thorman (@Jessicahelenlee) February 3, 2021
What needs to change?
Centre for Education and Youth associate Alix Robertson concluded that children’s mental health services need proper funding and government support:
We don't need a 'Youth Mental Health Ambassador' to 'raise the profile' of mental health education and wellbeing in schools. There are lots of people out there working really hard on this already. What the system needs is more funding and better support from government #CAMHS
— Alix Robertson (@AlixHRobertson) February 3, 2021
Beyond funding, co-founder of the Speak Up Space suggested that children’s mental health services are in dire need of reform:
There’s CAMHS discourse today and all I’m gonna say is this. That service is in desperate need of reform. We need increased participation in the development of services, additional training that is implemented by participation groups, entry criteria reviewed and so much more.
— Pheebs (your fav fat gal) (@fatpheebs) February 3, 2021
It’s clear that the government’s ‘focus’ on children’s mental health this week is a sham. Children and young people don’t need a celebrity ambassador, they need real support provided by fully funded services and trained staff with capacity to help them. If the government keeps cutting away at these vital services, the consequences for the next generation will be utterly devastating.
Featured image via @BorisJohnson/Twitter
Get involved
- If it’s a medical emergency, or someone’s life is at risk, call 999.
- If you or someone you know needs to talk, call Childline on 0800 1111.
- Support YoungMinds, the voice for young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
- Volunteer with Childline.
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Adult mental health services isn’t much better,
All mental health services are an utter disgrace, but at least the high suicide rate keeps the waiting lists under control.
Tories cut care massively from 1980’s onwards..
We now have a broken system to help treat broken children, and adults, where is the transition service for those turning 18?
Oh that’s nowhere..
This is the real pandemic and who is counting those in distress?
That is No one then..
Having just checked out Dr Alex George’s internet footprint he seems like a ‘good fit’ for an apologist policy framed by identifying with the bereaved rather than suicide or the structural aspects of suicides that were a consequence of the cuts to the mental health sector highlighted by Caz. Is he a Prawning Fick who just loves the attention?
This has been highlighted because of the lockdown issue. This sticking-plaster solution to mental health services is very much in tune with the current Covid narrative – including giving capn’ Tom the clap.
The average mortality rate over the last few years = 1600/day. Shocking as that might seem when one is made aware of it it puts the current process of focus upon the bereaved relatives of those that died this day, week or month into perspective. A national policy of a minute’s silence in honour of those that died (for the families of course) would be rendered impossible as it would take over 24 hours to actually perform. Wake up, get real and stop falling for the sob stories. Think of a pick pocket. Picking pockets is easier when the mark is distracted. Simples.
Kids need a Love Star for inspiration, aspiration instead of a beautiful lunch as they do in Europe?
Physical sustenance has no meaning for the Tories? I guess no inspiration comes from having a served 3 course meal along with the care, and attention that goes with it by the kitchen, and teachers.
Love is the answer on the magic screen for the Tory.
Otherwise you’d be feeding the poor, lazy, untalented who have unfair expectations upon the State.
Why it would be just like in the 12th century where everyone was like that due to the waring aristocracy. This is when the monarchy gained movement in France by treating the populace with respect by curbing the wars, allowing the Commons into the law courts, and equality was the goal.
The Tories are replaying the adgenda of Fuedal times.
Perhaps England after all these active social crimes will become a Republic?
Grab hold of a chair to steady yourself.
It could be people’s only choice of salvation to enjoy the 21st century with.