10 January 2023 , 10:05
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Children face desperate delays for mental health treatment with waits of hundreds of days for vital help.
Grim figures show that vulnerable kids are facing months in limbo to get help for mental health conditions on the NHS.
One young person had waited 1,512 days to get support as of August 2022 in the Norfolk & Waveney ICB area, while another had a wait of 1,113 days in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight as of June.
Of the 29 CCGs and ICBs that responded to Freedom of Information requests by the Liberal Democrats, eight areas admitted average waits for mental health services exceeded 100 days.
Lib Dem education spokesperson Munira Wilson branded the situation "disgraceful" and said children in dire need of help had been left to suffer.
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Children are facing long waits for mental health treatment (Getty Images)The number of children needing treatment for serious mental health problems including depression, anxiety and eating disorders has risen sharply over the past year.
NHS data analysed by the PA news agency shows a 39% jump in mental health referrals for under-18s in England, to more than 1.1million in 2021/22.
This compares to 839,570 the previous year, and 850,741 referrals in 2019/20.
Separate NHS Digital data found hospital admissions for eating disorders are also on the rise.
Among under-18s, there were 7,719 admissions in 2021/22, up from 6,079 the previous year and 4,232 in 2019/20 - an 82% rise across two years.
Ms Wilson told the Mirror: "The Government must not allow this postcode lottery to continue.
"Children right across the country in dire need of help have been left suffering. This shame can only be placed at Conservative Ministers doors, they have failed time and time again."
Demanding urgent action, she said: “Parents, carers and families are currently being stuck in the awful position of being unable to access mental health services for their child. It is disgraceful that the Government has not acted on this issue.”
Lib Dem education spokesperson Munira Wilson branded the situation 'disgraceful' (PA)Olly Parker, of the YoungMinds charity, said it was "completely unacceptable" that any young person should face such long waits for treatment.
He added: "We know that last year has been one of the most difficult for young people, emerging from the pandemic to more limited prospects for their futures, coupled with an increase in academic pressure to catch up on lost learning, and the impact of the cost of living crisis.
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"Record numbers are seeking mental health support but too many are being told to wait, struggling to cope and hitting crisis point before they get help."
A NSPCC spokesperson said: “Ten of thousands of children and young people are turning to the NSPCC’s Childline service every year as they struggle with serious mental health issues, self-harm and suicidal thoughts and feelings. Many have told counsellors they were on the waiting list for statutory support.
“The Government must ensure that through the 10 Year Mental Health Plan there is sufficient investment in the NHS so it can quickly provide help to children and young people in need of professional mental health support."
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “It is important we do everything we can to support our children and young people with their mental health.
“We are already investing an extra £2.3 billion a year into mental health services, meaning an additional 345,000 children and young people will be able to access NHS-funded mental health support they need by 2024.
“Support in school is vital, and we are committed to increasing the number of mental health support teams to almost 400 by April 2023, providing support to three million children and young people.