News Release, 15 January 2001
Every year, thousands of young people going through a mental health crisis are being failed by current services, according to the Mental Health Foundation. The claim comes in a new report, Turned Upside Down (published 22 January 2001), which calls on the Government to develop community-based mental health services specifically for 16-25-year-olds.
The charity’s report is based on interviews and discussions with 45 young people who have experienced a mental health crisis, together with the views of mental health professionals and those working in voluntary sector organisations supporting vulnerable young people.
Previous research by the Mental Health Foundation showed that one in five children and young people under the age of 20 will experience psychological problems at any one time. The number of people aged 16 to 25 with a mental health crisis has increased in recent years, but the availability of services for this age group has not kept pace with demand. At an age where schizophrenia typically makes its first appearance and where, for many, the transition from childhood to adulthood can be stressful, young people are not getting the specialist services they need.
Ruth Lesirge, director of the Mental Health Foundation, said: "Our research shows that many young people are being let down badly by the current mental health services. It is essential for their future that we turn this crisis upside down. If young people’s needs are to be met, the Government should be listening to what young people have to say and establishing a framework for community-based mental health services for 16 to 25-year olds, that young people find approachable and accessible."
The Mental Health Foundation found that some young people were falling into the gaps between children’s mental health services, which in some areas stop at 16 years, and adult services, which start at 18. Between 500 and 600 young people each year are placed on adult wards inappropriately. In addition, young people who are also misusing alcohol or other drugs may be denied help with their mental health problems and seen as untreatable. Young people who took part in the research said they found some psychiatrists intimidating and that the rigid appointment system made it difficult to get help when they needed it most.
"Mental health staff made it clear that they thought I was a burden and a nuisance," said one young person. "This made me feel guilty about seeking help from the professionals and I became very isolated."
What young people saw as more helpful was the chance to talk to someone on their own level: "Talking, just to know that somebody has been through the same thing as you because you just feel alone, isolated, like you’re the only one, just hearing that somebody else has had exactly the same or very similar circumstances, you just realise that you’re not going mad basically."
The Mental Health Foundation recommends that in developing mental health services for young people aged 16 to 25:
- The Government sets up a National Service Framework for children and young people’s mental health similar to that developed for adult mental health services.
- There should be a national strategy to ensure that the views of young people are taken into account, on both new and existing services and on the treatment given to individuals.
- Emergency responses should be available during weekends and holidays.
- The Government should end the practice of placing under-18-year-olds on adult psychiatric wards.
- The Government initiates the development of community-based services which actively involve young people at every stage.
- All young people treated under statutory mental health services have access to an independent advocate.
- Services are developed for young people with mental health problems who also misuse drugs or alcohol, together with specialist services for those who self-harm or who have an eating disorder.
The Mental Health Foundation has received £200,000 from The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund, for a three-year programme of advocacy and consultation work with young people, which will then inform the future development of new community-based crisis services.
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For further information and interview requests contact please contact the press office on 020 7803 1105 / 1128 or email the press office
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