Children from deprived areas struggle to access NHS mental health care

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By Daniel Pye

Children and young people with mental health needs who live in deprived areas are less likely to access mental health services, instead being signposted elsewhere, researchers have found.

Those from the most deprived neighbourhoods are more likely to have their referral to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), rejected, and to have worse clinical outcomes 12 months after their referral, a study published in The British Journal of Psychiatry stated.

Younger children, particularly those aged under 11, were also less likely to receive help – hampering earlier intervention efforts.

Researchers also reported limited improvements in clinical outcomes one year after being referred to CAMHS, with 61% continuing to meet criteria for needing mental health input.

The findings come from the STAndardised DIagnostic Assessment for children and adolescents with emotional difficulties trial, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

It followed 1,225 children and young people referred to CAMHS across eight large NHS trusts in England for 18 months.