BPS supports new report from the Children and Young People’s Coalition

The Children and Young People's Coalition have produced a new report entitled A Step Towards Change, which analyses the government's policies on children and young people's mental health. The British Psychological Society is a member of the Coalition. 

Supporting the report's recommendations, Dr Rachel Bradley, Chair of the BPS's Faculty for Children Young People and their Families said: 

"The scale of the issues facing babies', children and young people's mental health services should not be underestimated. The number of children or young people with a mental health difficulty has been steadily increasing over the last few years and recent figures have shown that it is now a shocking one in five. However, only a third were able to access treatment last year in England. 

"This situation can't be allowed to continue to worsen. Government intervention is urgently needed to reverse this worrying trend. 

"As highlighted in this report, specialist mental health professionals in schools and Young Futures hubs have great potential to contribute to an improvement. But this can only happen if implemented effectively. We remain committed to working with the government, through the Coalition, to ensure this becomes a reality."