Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation 25
25
For those children and young people who prefer accessing help online, digital services can be...
Conclusion
For those children and young people who prefer accessing help online, digital services can be an important way of reducing barriers to access so it is important that a digital offer should be available for all young people. To prevent over-medicalisation of mental health conditions this should include self-help options as well as digital counselling offers. However, digital support options are not appropriate for all children and young people, and in fact can pose barriers and exacerbate inequalities for some. Therefore, targets for improving access to services should not be met by over-reliance on digital support. These models should complement, rather than replace the existing in-person offers. (Paragraph 117) Inpatient care
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
173. We accept this recommendation in part. 174. As set out in the introduction, the department plans to launch a public discussion paper later this year to inform the development of a new longer term mental health strategy. This will set us up for a wide-ranging and ambitious conversation about potential solutions to improve mental health and wellbeing, both within and beyond government and the NHS. We also want to challenge business, local authorities and other sectors to bring commitments to the table.