Oxfordshire: Hundreds of children have mental health contact

The NHS Digital figures indicate around 540 children in the former NHS Oxfordshire CCG area had been been in contact with mental health services while more children than ever accessed them across England.

There was an almost doubling of open referrals throughout the coronavirus pandemic as 710,000 children nationally accessed mental health support.

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Chief executive at mental health charity YoungMinds, Laura Bunt, said: "Instead of action, young people get broken promises in the form of scrapped plans and missed opportunities.

"We need the Government to turn the tide on this emergency – it must commit to reducing prevalence and tackle the reasons why so many young people are struggling with their mental health.

"We need an ambitious plan that matches the scale of need focussing on prevention, investment and improving services."

Some 465,000 children were waiting for a mental health appointment following a referral at the end of September – up from 250,000 at the end of September 2019 - but in Oxfordshire this fell from around 7,055 at the end of September 2019 to 70 this year.

Further figures show children in England aged between 11 and 16 with a probable mental disorder were five times more likely to have been bullied in person – and four times more likely to be bullied online – than those unlikely to have a mental disorder in 2023.

Meanwhile, more than one in four children with a probable mental disorder had a parent who could not afford activities outside school.

This compared to over one in 10 of those unlikely to have a mental disorder.

Littlemore Mental Health Centre in Oxford.

NHS mental health director, Claire Murdoch, said: "NHS staff are working harder than ever to meet the increased demand and we have fast-tracked mental health support for millions of pupils in schools and colleges, as well as significantly expanding the children’s mental health workforce."

The Department for Health and Social Care added that it will invest an additional £2.3 billion a year in mental health services, meaning an additional 345,000 children and young people can access support.

A spokesperson said mental health support teams are being rolled out in schools and colleges while the Government focusses on growing the "mental health workforce".

In March, there were 143,000 full-time equivalent NHS staff working in mental health services, up from 136,000 in September 2022.

NHS mental health guidance for children, teenagers and young adults advises that a professional such as a GP, teacher, school nurse or social worker can put individuals in touch with local children and young people's mental health services.

Those seeking such support can also refer themselves to some services.