This article was taken from: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/children-mental-health-treatment-specialist-nhs-services-nspcc-a8349816.html
By Josh Gabbatiss Science Correspondent
‘Schools are increasingly referring children for specialist mental health treatment, often when the child is at crisis point’
The number of children referred by their schools for mental healthtreatment has spiked by a third in the past three years.
Of those referred, nearly a third were denied treatment as they did not meet the criteria for support, leading to calls for more funding to help children who are struggling.
These figures were obtained through a Freedom of Information request to NHS Trusts in England made by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).
The charity has warned that an increased demand for mental health services from young people, combined with the lack of funding and services, could be putting thousands of children at risk.
Of the nearly 124,000 referrals NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) made since 2014-2015, 56 per cent came from primary schools.
Over this period, CAMHS referrals have been increasing steadily, with close to 200 on average being made every day over the past year.
“Our research shows schools are increasingly referring children for specialist mental health treatment, often when the child is at crisis point,” said Peter Wanless, chief executive of the NSPCC.
Last year the government pledged to reform mental health services for children with a £300m injection.
However, a recent report by two select committees, Education and Health and Social Care, concluded the current plan “lacks ambition and will provide no help to the majority of children who desperately need it.”
Due to the slow rollout of the government’s plans, the authors concluded support would only reach between a fifth and a quarter of the country by 2022-2023.
“Young people are falling through the gaps and not receiving the services they need as they enter adulthood,” the report stated.
To deal with the increase in demand for mental health services, the NSPCC has called for the government to increase the funding it provides to Childline – a specialist counselling service provided by the charity for children and young people.
Over the past four years, the service has seen a 26 per cent increase in the number of counselling sessions it provides to children with mental health issues.
“Childline plays a vital role in supporting children with their mental and emotional health, and many turn to us when they are struggling to get access to specialist treatment,” said Mr Wanless.
