Mental health of London’s children highlighted in report

A new report by Public Health England (PHE) has claimed that more than 110,000 children in London, representing approximately one in 10, suffer with significant mental ill health.

In more detail, the report found that nearly 40,000 children suffer with anxiety, over 10,000 children experience depression, just under 19,000 children are diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and over 68,000 children have conduct disorder, either behavioural and emotional.

The report also highlighted that: 50 per cent of those with a lifetime mental illness will experience symptoms by the age of 14; maternal depression is associated with a fivefold increased risk of mental ill health in the child; 60 per cent of looked after children have some form of emotional or mental ill health; there is a 50 per cent increased risk of mortality in people who are depressed; and, finally, people who suffer with mental ill health, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, die on average 16 to 25 years sooner than the general population.

Additionally, in 2014 and 2015, 16 per cent of 15 year olds in London reported low life satisfaction, representing one in every six children. This was found to be caused by deprivation, gender, ethnicity and sexual orientation.

Children who experience mental ill health are more likely experience health related disabilities, and have an increased chance to smoke and struggle with alcohol and drug misuse.

To coincide with the report, PHE has recently produced a mental health toolkit for schools and colleges to deliver the national ambitions for child mental public health set out in Future in Mind.

Dr Marilena Korkodilos, a paediatrician and child health lead for PHE London, said: “Children’s and young people’s mental health is a real issue for London, and this report shows that we all need to do more.

“We are working with the city’s leaders and the NHS to develop a citywide vision and approach to help make London the world’s healthiest city. Alongside the Healthy London Partnership we are supporting both work to reduce suicide and improve children and young people’s mental health care.”