The Educator Magazine U.K. Jan-April 2024 issue - Magazine - Page 74
One in five children
and young people had
a probable mental
disorder in 2023
One in five children and young people in England aged eight to 25
had a probable mental disorder in 2023, a new survey shows.
before – we have already supported
over 700,000 children and young
people with their mental health this
year and also seen a 47% increase in
young people being treated for eating
disorders compared to pre-pandemic.
“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. Our partners, especially in
the education, voluntary and social care
sectors, also have a critical role to play
in supporting this effort.
The Mental Health of Children and
Young People in England 2023 report,
published today by NHS England, found
that 20.3% of eight to 16-year-olds had
a probable mental disorder in 2023.
Among 17 to 19-year-olds, the
proportion was 23.3%, while in 20 to
25-year-olds it was 21.7%.
After a rise in rates of probable mental
disorders between 2017 and 2020,
prevalence continued at similar levels in
all age groups between 2022 and 2023.
Participants were also questioned
about eating disorders for the first time
since the 2017 survey. In 2023, 12.5%
of 17 to 19-year-olds had an eating
disorder, an increase from 0.8% in 2017.
Between 2017 and 2023, rates rose both
in young women (from 1.6% to 20.8%)
and young men (from 0.0% to 5.1%) in
this age group.
This year’s survey also found 5.9% of 20
to 25-year-olds had an eating disorder,
while eating disorders were identified
in 2.6% of 11 to 16-year-olds, compared
with 0.5% in 2017 – with rates in 2023
four times higher in girls (4.3%) than
boys (1.0%).
NHS England has rolled out 398 Mental
Health Support Teams within schools
and colleges to provide early support
to young people with mild to moderate
mental health issues – covering 35% of
pupils and learners in further education.
A further 200 teams are currently in
training and due to become operational
by Spring 2025, which would
ultimately cover five million (over 50%)
of the country’s pupils and learners.
NHS Mental Health Director Claire
Murdoch said: “Today’s report shows
the continued unprecedented pressures faced by young people and
reflects the increased demand for NHS
children’s mental health services.
“The NHS is providing support for more
children and young people than ever
“It is vital that any child or young
person struggling, or their family,
reaches out for help so they can get
the care they need.”
The survey is England’s best data
source for trends in children and young
people’s mental health and how this
has changed since 2017 - covering
topics such as bullying, substance use,
self-harm and feelings about cost of
living, education, climate change and
the future.
The Mental Health of Children and
Young People 2023 survey,
commissioned by NHS England, was
carried out earlier this year by the
Office for National Statistics (ONS), the
National Centre for Social Research
(NatCen), University of Cambridge and
University of Exeter.
Read the full report
Mental Health of Children and Young
People in England, 2023 - wave 4
follow up to the 2017 survey