Children Mental Health Cases Grow 50% Since 2014
The number of children identified as having a mental health issue has increased significantly since 2014/15, rising by 54 per cent in three years.
According to the latest figures from Local Government Association (LGA), there were 205,720 cases of children with emotional problems in 2017/18, which is over 70,000 more than in 2014/15.
Councillor Anntoinette Bramble, chair of the LGA’s Children and Young People Board, said: “It is clear we are facing a children’s mental health crisis, and councils are struggling to provide the support young people so desperately need.”
She implied this growth in mental health problems among youngsters is the result of cuts to early intervention services that can help prevent low-level problems becoming more serious.
“It is absolutely vital that the government adequately funds these services in this year’s Spending Review, so we can tackle this urgent crisis and make sure children get the help they need,” Ms Bramble went on to say.
She was speaking ahead of the LGA’s Annual Conference in Bournemouth between July 2nd and 4th, which will look at the government’s Spending Review.
Council leaders will ask for more money into children’s services to prevent a £3.1 billion funding gap by 2025.
Due to financial restrictions, many children centres and family support services have come to an end. However, 75,420 youngsters are now in the care of local authorities, which presents a greater expense for councils.
One way the government is trying to support children’s mental health is by introducing a trial of mindfulness lessons in primary and secondary schools.
The project, which will run until 2021, will see 370 schools teach mindfulness, relaxation and breathing exercises to help kids manage their feelings.
Looking after the emotional wellbeing of a child is just as important as meeting their physical needs – something those with au pair jobs in London will know all about.