Child Health and Wellbeing Strategy urgently needed, says BPS

The BPS is calling for a Child Health and Wellbeing Strategy to be urgently introduced by the new government. 

The call comes after new findings, published today by NHS Providers, revealed the NHS is struggling to meet rapidly rising demand and increasingly complex and acute care needs among children and young people.

Responding to the survey findings, Chair of the British Psychological Society's Faculty for Children Young People and their Families Dr Rachel Bradley said: 

"This new research from NHS Providers paints a stark picture of the upsetting reality that faces increasing numbers of children and young people. With waiting lists at record levels, and services unable to meet demand across mental and physical health services we need the new government to act swiftly and to prioritise the health and wellbeing of our children and young people. 

"Last year, around one in five of those aged 8-25 were reported to have a mental health problem. To ensure the future generation can flourish and thrive, promoting physical and mental wellbeing, prevention and early-intervention for emerging difficulties and timely access to comprehensive well-resourced services to address more serious mental and physical health difficulties are all vital. 

"The Government must also put resources into addressing the wider family factors contributing to poor mental and physical health in children and young people. These include issues such as financial hardship and housing issues, limited local authority support for families and parental mental health difficulties. We would like to see a Child Health and Wellbeing strategy developed which puts children and young people at the heart of policy making."