MP concerned about treatment of young people with mental health problems

An increasing number of under-18s are being treated on adult psychiatric wards a study has found.

Alison Seabeck MP is concerned about the lack of suitable facilities that are able to treat young people with mental health problems. They are often being treated on adult wards or being sent hundreds of miles away from their families. In 2013-2014 350 under-18s have been admitted to adult mental health wards, compared with 242 two years earlier.

The cuts to mental health services, particularly for child and adolescent services in the community, are likely to have contributed to this deeply worrying situation. Reports have shown that young people need more help than ever before, with 1 in 10 being affected.

Alison has been working with a family whose son was recently taken to an establishment in Birmingham in order to receive treatment. This was because the South West simply did not have the necessary facilities to accommodate a young person with serious mental health problems. Local organisations went to great lengths to ensure that he was kept as close to home as possible.

Alison said: “Having recently met with a group on young people who have struggled with mental health problems it is clear that there are not enough facilities available to meet demand. There are some fantastic facilities in my constituency, and I have met young people who have spent time in respite and recovery in them, but it is simply not enough. I am concerned that as the cuts to health services and local government get deeper, this situation will only get worse.”