More than words... Children's Mental Health Week 2021

It is always important to take every opportunity to raise awareness about children's mental health which is why this week is so important. 1 in 6 children have a diagnosable mental health problem, this statistic came well before the pandemic so it is inevitable that this will increase. We at the Centre for Mental Health have forecast that 1.5 million children will need mental health support over the next year or so, this number will continue to grow as the pandemic deepens and social isolation continues. We know that upwards of 10,000 children who have lost parents to Covid 19 will potentially suffer from complex grief, those who have experienced intensive care also more likely to be diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. These are not insignificant experiences or numbers, we must be prepared.

We have also seen throughout the pandemic the horrific tales of domestic violence, the numbers of children vulnerable to neglect and abuse. We must continue to support families and enable victims of domestic violence to access the help they need when they need it. There is no doubt that an early childhood exposed to abuse has a lifelong impact, we must create trauma informed schools and communities so that children are not punished or excluded for behaviour but are given what they need to lead a fulfilling, safe and happy life.

There have been stories about food poverty, digital exclusion, children have been in and out of school for a year, you couldn't make this up. A perfect storm of factors that unless tackled will cast a shadow over the lives of children for many years to come. I for one am not going to wait and see what happens, so what do we do?

There are no easy answers here but I have three big things I want to see happen now:

1. A government that truly tackles poverty, and I don't mean another review, we know what the issues are. We must create a truly fair and realistic welfare system, create health led economic leavers in local areas such as community decision making about services, unlock and dismantle unhelpful bureaucracy and to stop thinking about poverty as an individual choice because it is a systemic consequence of outdated and unjust policy.
2. We want an equitable and dynamic education system that doesn't exclude children, one that truly captures their lives, a curriculum that reflects the diversity of our nation, a focus on health and wellbeing, proper investment into digital intelligence and inclusion.
3. Prioritise prevention, public health, and social justice, these things are connected, it is not the time to take our foot off this pedal. We know that a life of despair is not inevitable, access to early help, trauma informed schools and communities, information about self care, resources that meet diverse needs could change lives today. We must make sure that we work to support those who are always assigned to the margins by society, until there is justice for all there can't be justice for anyone.

These are big things but they are achievable, we need political will, societal pressure, equality and values at the heart of policy making, this is my roadmap for my work going forward, the question is, will you join me?

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