Invest today for a better tomorrow

The UK is sitting on a mental health time-bomb, says the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition [CYPMHC]– a coalition of the top 14 charities that serve children and young people with mental health concerns.^* The consequences of failing to meet these mental health needs are colossal for the children and young people, their families, and the nation as a whole, and yet much of it is avoidable.

“One in ten children and young people has a diagnosable mental health problem such as depression or anorexia. We have evidence to show what works to help them and this will minimise future harm,” says Sarah Brennan, chair of the CYPMHC. “This is the first time that the top charities in this field have joined together in order to issue this warning. The government can’t afford to not invest in the future of children and young people’s mental health.”

Launching its Business Case for children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing in the presence of government ministers and members of the opposition in House of Commons today, the CYPMHC noted that the costs to the economy of mental ill-health have been estimated at £105 billion a year in health, social care, and other expenses.

For example, a child with severe conduct disorder will cost society over a lifetime about £150,000, while tailored parenting training for the family, which has proved to be effective in mitigating the disorder, costs £1,000.

The business case brings together a startling array of statistics on the toll both financial and personal of mental ill-health that goes unaddressed. It states: “Currently the Government is spending money on mopping up the consequences, not preventing it in the first place, and this also has an impact in other areas (e.g. teen pregnancy, crime, homelessness, drug/alcohol use and smoking)…”

The CYPMHC calls on government specifically to:

·         to re-establish health visitors as trusted support figures for parents and children

·         to invest an element of the pupil premium in early intervention initiatives that are proven to help the emotional resilience of children and young people, and

·         to ensure that no decisions about young people are taken without their active involvement in the development, delivery and commissioning of the services, and in defining the outcomes.

Sarah Brennan continues: “In this time of cuts, children’s mental health services must not be forgotten. Prioritising young people’s mental health will ensure problems are tackled early preventing them from become long-term serious illnesses. Thus creating happy, healthier, contributing members of society and more cohesive communities.”

The CYPMHC also launched its website at the event: www.cypmhc.org.uk

Speaking at the event:

Charles Walker MP

Emily Thornberry MP

Anne Webb (Head of Zurich Community Trust) and

Sarah Brennan, Chair of CYPMHC

CONTACT: A M Poppy, PR Officer on 020-7803 1177; or

Sarah-Jane James, Coalition Co-ordinator: 020-7803 1175  sjjames@mfh.org.uk

The Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition brings together leading children and young people and mental health charities to campaign with and on behalf of children and young people in relation to their mental and wellbeing. With a unified voice, the coalition aims to achieve policy changes at the highest level that will directly improve the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people across the UK.

* The coalition partners are: Action for Children, Children England, Family Action, Mental Health Foundation, Mind, Rethink, Right Here, Royal College of Psychiatrists, The Place2Be, The Prince’s Trust, YoungMinds, Young Scotland in Mind, Youth Access and Youth Net.

The coalition is funded by Zurich Community Trust

Notes:

·         1 in 10 children and young people aged 5 - 16 suffer from a diagnosable mental health disorder - that is around three children in every class

·         Most mental health problems have their roots in childhood, and many serious chronic mental illnesses appear before the age of 25.  About 75% of adults with mental health problems first experienced mental health problems in childhood. Addressing issues early will ensure better outcomes for individuals and for society.