Cancellations of NHS child mental health sessions increase

Mental health charity Mind has uncovered data that shows that in the past year the NHS has cancelled 175,000 appointments in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

Marking an overall increase of 25 per cent compared to the previous year, the charity says that figures highlight the job the next government has to tackle the massive strain NHS services are under. According to the NHS, the same period saw a 10 per cent increase in the number of CAMHS appointments to 429,000. This could be for a range of issues for people aged under 18, including: eating disorders; self-harm; suicidal thoughts; anxiety; and depression. However almost one in 10 of these additional appointments were cancelled by the service.

The numbers suggest that although services are seeing more young people than ever, the rising number coming forward to seek mental health support means the system is struggling to handle the level of demand - with cancellations by the provider making up nearly one in five of all missed appointments.

Vicki Nash, head of Policy and Campaigns at Mind, said: “We know services are struggling to cope with the increasing numbers of people needing help but no young person should face being stood up by the NHS. Despite mental health problems increasing amongst children and young people, many are simply not able to access support. Too often young people only get help once they reach crisis point. Half of all mental health problems have been established by the age of 14 but if we can enable our young people to seek and receive support as early as possible, we could drastically improve the situation.

“The NHS in England has promised £2.3 billion a year for mental health, in part to improve children and young people’s mental health services. But political inertia means this plan is at risk with a lack of investment in the NHS workforce and buildings. With so many young people affected, this is rapidly becoming one of the major challenges our society faces. The next UK government must ensure that the progress made over the last few years is not lost in order to ensure that all young people get the right care, in the right place, at the right time.”