Children With Mental Health Problems Wait A Decade On Average Before Getting Help, UK Report Says

Ten long years. This is how much time a child with mental health problems in the United Kingdom has to wait between being unsound and actually getting much-needed help, according to a new report.

The Centre for Mental Health has just released Missed Opportunities, which reviewed recent evidence into the mental health of children and young people. The report found that in the ten-year delay between exhibiting mental health symptoms and getting help, the mental problems "multiply and get progressively worse, eventually escalating into crisis."

Early Intervention Key To Children's Mental Health

"Most common childhood mental health problems can be treated effectively. Early help is vital to have the best chance of success," Lorraine Khan was quoted by the Huffington Post as saying. Khan is the associate director for children and young people at the Centre for Mental Health.

Khan was also quoted by ITV as saying that waiting for the mental health of a child to decline until it reaches a crisis does not only harm the children. Khan said that the decline in mental health of a child also has "a heavy social and economic cost."

Causes of Delay And Government Response

According to the report's executive summary, stigma about mental health can produce a "conspiracy of silence" which becomes a barrier for older children from seeking help or letting others know that there is something wrong with them. There is also poor mental health literacy and lack of information on and less than ideal experiences with mental health services.

The Belfast Telegraph quoted a government spokesman as saying that besides access and waiting time standards, there will be £1.4 billion funding for mental health for young people. "This funding will improve care in the community and schools to reduce waiting times and make sure young people get support before they reach a crisis point," the spokesman said.