Dr Rosena Allin-Khan comments on record number of children seeking mental health support

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan MP, Labour's Shadow Mental Health Minister, commenting on analysis from the Royal College of Psychiatrists finding a record number of children and young people in England have sought mental health support, said:

“The Conservatives have treated children as an afterthought throughout the pandemic, leaving too many young people without the support they desperately need.

“Over a third of children were turned away from mental health services last year alone, and the implications will be felt for years to come.

"Labour's Children's Recovery Plan would support children and prioritise young people's wellbeing as we recover from the pandemic."

Ends

Notes to editors

• ‘Third of children referred to mental health services last year were turned away’ - Sunday Mirror, July 2021

• Labour’s Children’s Recovery Plan would deliver:

• • Quality mental health support for children in every school

  • Small group tutoring for all who need it

  • Breakfast clubs and activities for every child

  • Continued professional development for teachers to support pupils to catch up on lost learning, and

  • Targeted extra investment from early years to further education to support young people who struggled most with learning in lockdown