Survey presents a worrying picture of children's and young people’s mental health Health Foundation response to NHS Digital’s survey on the mental health of children and young people in England

Commenting on NHS Digital’s survey, Mental Health of Children and Young People in England, 2020, Martina Kane, policy lead for the Health Foundation’s Young people’s future health inquiry, said:

'Today’s findings present a worrying picture of the effect of young people’s everyday circumstances, such as their family’s finances, on their mental health. The survey found that children with mental health concerns were more than twice as likely to live in a household that had fallen behind with payments. 

'Young people with existing mental health problems also reported that lockdown had made their life worse. This would have coincided with closures or reduction of key services, including mental health services and youth services. 

'There must be immediate, targeted action to support the most vulnerable, including children and young people with an existing mental health condition. Longer term, a cross government strategy is needed which recognises the impact of people’s circumstances on their long term health and aims builds a better future for our young people.'

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Simon Perry
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