A new NHS Digital survey shows:
- About one in five 8 to 25-year olds had a probable mental
disorder in 2023;
- Eating disorders were found in 12.5% of 17 to 19-year olds in
2023, with rates four times higher in young women than young men;
- 17 to 25-year olds with a probable mental disorder were three
times more likely to be unable to afford to take part in
activities such as sports or socialising with friends compared
with those unlikely to have a mental disorder.
Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive, NHS Providers, said:
“Getting help and support to children and young people as soon as
possible is critical for their future life chances, wellbeing and
social development – whether that’s in mental health, hospital or
community settings.
“Far too many youngsters are stuck in the queue for diagnosis and
the right support.
“We need urgent cross-government action to get a grip on a
persistent crisis. Without it many more children and young
people, their families and carers will continue to suffer
long waits for support.
"With almost 1.9million people in England on the waiting
list for mental health help and demand growing, NHS trusts are
very worried about so many people, particularly children and
young people, not getting the support and treatment they
need.
"Pressure on hard-working but stretched to the limit mental
health services with too few staff and resources makes it
impossible to look after more people more quickly. We
need sustainable levels of funding in the right
areas and more capital investment to boost the ability of
trusts, as well as schools and councils, to
meet people’s needs and to modernise out-of-date facilities
to give patients first-class care.”
