Lynn Perry, Barnardo’s chief executive, said:
“The Children’s Commissioner report is a stark reminder that children and young people’s mental health is in crisis and should be treated as such. With more than one million referrals in the last year, and too many children waiting months or years for support, the consequences of inaction will put the long-term health, well-being, and life chances of an entire generation at risk.
“Through our Barnardo’s services, we see every day that investment in early intervention and prevention is crucial. While the government’s commitment to rolling out Mental Health Support Teams shows some progress, this is clearly not happening fast enough. The ongoing expansion of Mental Health Support Teams in England must be prioritised and must include school counsellors, to make sure that every child can access the compassionate and timely support they need before reaching crisis point.”
