In response to today's findings from the RCPCH around childhood mental health, Lynn Perry, Barnardo’s Chief Executive, said:
“The mental health of children and young people across the country is at crisis point, with the potential for profound lifelong consequences. Today’s findings from the RCPCH are yet another urgent reminder of our continued failure to address this issue.
“No child should have to go to A&E for mental health support. What we need is meaningful investment in early intervention, to make sure that the mental health of children and young people doesn’t reach crisis point in the first place. That’s why it is so crucial that the Government’s Mental Health Strategy delivers a stronger focus on prevention, early intervention, and access to timely support.
“We are calling on the government to make sure that all children and young people have access to early support, including social prescribing in their communities, as well as an expansion of mental health support teams in schools across England to include school counsellors. This would bring us one step closer to making sure every child is able to grow up safer, healthier, happier, and more hopeful.”