Mental Health Strategy to Invest in Therapies for Children and Early Intervention

The expansion of psychological therapies for children and young people and an emphasis on early intervention and prevention define the coalition government's mental health strategy published on 2nd February.

The No Health Without Mental Health strategy includes an investment of £400m to expand access to evidence-based psychological therapies. The government claims the strategy attributes the same importance to mental health as is afforded to the nation’s physical health.

Campaigners have said the strategy is a positive step for children and young people’s mental health services.

Sarah Brennan, chairman of the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition and chief executive of YoungMinds, said: "We commend the government for putting children and young people at the heart of its mental health strategy for the first time, thus emphasising the vital importance of giving all young people a good start in life and the effect of this on long-term mental health."

But she warned that implementation of the strategy will be made difficult because of financial constraints. "Effective implementation of this strategy, however, will be challenging in the tough economic climate," Brennan added. "We look forward to working with government to make the strategy a reality, resulting in a transformation in the lives of children and young people in Britain today."

The government said a new emphasis on early intervention and prevention will help tackle the underlying causes of mental ill-health, citing statistics that show half of those with mental health problems first experience symptoms before the age of 14.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: "Too often in the past, mental health issues have been marginalised. This cross-government strategy will finally place good mental health at the heart of everything we do.
"The six key aims of this strategy make clear our commitment to improving public health and wellbeing through improving mental health.
"For the first time, people of all ages with mental health problems will be able to receive personalised care to reflect their own needs."

According to the government, the strategy will ensure that by 2014:

• more people will have good mental health
• more people with mental health problems will recover
• more people with mental health problems will have good physical health
• more people with mental health problems will have a positive experience of care and support
• fewer people will suffer avoidable harm
• fewer people will experience stigma and discrimination
   

By Janaki Mahadevan
Children & Young People Now
2 February 2011