The World Health Organisation recognises the day on 10 October each year.
This year, the theme was set by the World Federation for Mental Health following 18 months in which the pandemic has exacerbated inequality in support for marginalised groups.
Experts have warned children and young people face a mental health crisis with services facing a “tipping point”.
Particular concerns have been raised around access to support for children from disadvantaged families as well as those from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, children in the care system and care leavers.
Campaigners have also called for increased support for young people in the youth secure estate highlighting the need for tailored support for women and girls and young black men.
CYP Now has collated a range of articles exploring the causes, impact and solutions of increasing mental health problems for children and young people:
Key concerns
- Children’s mental health services at ‘tipping point’
- Pupils disciplined for mental health-related issues, warns charity
- Record number of children waiting for eating disorder treatment
Impact of pandemic
- Pandemic’s mental health impact
- Covid has worsened adverse childhood experiences, say experts
- One in four young people worried mental health will impact work after pandemic
- Mental health impact of pandemic on children ‘could last a lifetime’, Barnardo’s warns
Social care
- Number of 10- to 17-year-olds in care proceedings doubles over last decade
- Health of children in kinship care deteriorated during pandemic, survey finds
- Adopted children face mental health emergency, warns charity
Special educational needs and disabilities
- Therapeutic approach gives SEND pupils bright future
- Overshadowed: The Mental Health Needs of Children and Young People with Learning Disabilities
- Government strategy promises improved support for autistic children
- Special school pupils ‘four months behind in learning’ due to pandemic
Youth secure estate
- Campaign to improve mental health support for young black men in prisons
- Girls in secure estate facing ‘high levels of trauma and risk of self-harm’
- How justice system fails girls
Best practice
- Mental health scheme launched for children of Scottish Armed Forces
- School mental health leads programme launches
- Social prescribing service boosts mental health of Sheffield young people
- UK Youth launches project to shape mental health support for young black people
Research
- Children’s Mental Health Special Report
- Review backs CBT use in schools
- Mental Health for All? The Final Report of the Commission for Equality in Mental Health
Blogs and opinions
- Exploring the rise of older children involved in care proceedings
- A double taboo
- Make improving children’s wellbeing explicit aim of all work
- How I Got Here: Carol-Anne Murphy, nurse consultant (CAMHS)
- Why children’s mental health services need joint planning
