Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation 2
2
Accepted in Part
Paragraph: 28
Although the full long-term impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the mental health of children...
Recommendation
Although the full long-term impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the mental health of children and young people under the age of 25 is as yet unknown, it is already clear that the mental health needs of these groups have been much exacerbated by the pandemic. This has been supported by NHS data from July 2020 which shows that one in six young people now have a probable mental health disorder. But the impact of this has not been even across different children and young people, with older teenage girls, for example, particularly affected by the rise in eating disorders. In order to understand the level of need in children and young people’s mental health as well as the inequalities that continue to exist, more regular and accurate prevalence data is urgently needed.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government accepts the recommendation in part, committing to a comprehensive national survey every 7 years, with the next one in 2024. They also highlight follow-up surveys conducted in 2020, 2021, and an imminent third wave to understand the pandemic's impact on children and young people's mental health.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
28
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government · verbatim extract
Accepted in Part
The Department of Health and Social Care (the Department) is aware that the pandemic posed significant challenges to children and young people’s sense of wellbeing with data showing the prevalence of mental health issues in children and young people has increased. For those with a mental health condition, children and young people’s mental health services remained open, offering digital and remote access to maintain support, and accepting new referrals. The Department is aware that there has been an increase in demand for access to eating disorder inpatient services, due to the rise in the number of acute presentations seen across regions as the country came out of the first and second lockdowns.
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