Charity Urges Government to Prioritise Children’s Mental Health or Risk “Losing a Generation”
The Government must urgently “invest in childhood” to prevent a growing mental health crisis among young people, a leading charity has warned.
A new report from the Centre for Mental Health highlights the long-term impact of poor mental health in childhood, which it says can lead to chronic physical and mental health problems in adulthood. The report argues that prevention is not only beneficial for wellbeing but also “highly cost-effective,” with the potential to deliver significant economic savings and better outcomes through early intervention.
Titled Invest in Childhood, the report emphasises that mental health is a critical issue for babies, children, and young people. According to 2023 NHS statistics, around one in five individuals aged 8 to 25 in England were likely to have a mental health disorder. This includes 20% of 8 to 16-year-olds, 23.3% of 17 to 19-year-olds, and 21.7% of those aged 20 to 25.
The report calls for a “whole system preventative approach” to mental health, recommending collaboration across education, healthcare, social services, and community organisations to tackle issues before they worsen.
Six key areas for action are outlined, including:
Providing mental health support during pregnancy and early parenthood
Addressing inter-generational trauma, particularly in families affected by racism
Strengthening mental health promotion in early years care, schools, and colleges
Ensuring access to secure housing and employment for young adults
The Centre for Mental Health concludes that only by acting early and across multiple sectors can the Government safeguard the mental health of the next generation.
