What did people tell us about children’s mental health services during the pandemic?

In 2019, the NHS Long Term Plan outlined a number of goals in order to improve children and young people’s access to and experiences of mental health support. It highlighted the need for increased funding for child and adolescent mental health services, and reduced waiting times. It also aimed to improve the transition from child to adult services and improve NHS staff’s understanding of the needs of people with learning disabilities and autism. 

The goals of the Long Term Plan match what people have told us about what needs improving about their experiences. We heard stories of children and young people waiting months (and, sometimes, years) for diagnoses and then waiting longer for treatment. This includes young people with eating disorders, where fast treatment is paramount for recovery. We also heard that young people felt staff were dismissive of their symptoms and that support offered was not helpful. People shared that they were discharged from services once they turned eighteen, despite not receiving care and the Long Term Plan outlining that support for young people continues until age twenty-five. Finally, we heard concerning stories of young people with autism and ADHD not being offered appropriate support, and LGBTQ+ young people being at increased risk of mental ill-health. 

The fact that this feedback was shared with us after the Long Term Plan was published indicates that its goals are, so far, not being met. Increased demand – likely due to the pandemic – has increased pressure on already stretched and underfunded services, so children are going without necessary support for their mental health. More work is needed to implement the goals of the plan effectively, and direct funding to services themselves, to ensure children and young people receive timely, high-quality care.

Key findings from this research: 

• Children and young people have a good understanding of mental health. But they have a mixed awareness of what support is available and confidence in services is low.
• Children and young people face long waiting times for diagnosis and treatment.
• Experiences of care are generally poor, with young people feeling like their symptoms are not taken seriously and increased demand on services limiting what support is available.
• People aren’t always offered follow-up support once discharged from services, including discharge from inpatient services.
• Young people continue to face difficult transitions to adult services, often being cut off from support once they turn eighteen.
• Neurodivergent children, including children with autism and ADHD, struggle to access appropriate support for their mental health.
• LGBTQ+ young people more likely to experience poor wellbeing and self-esteem and report self-harm compared to others.