Comment: Professor Shirley Reynolds says the £50m cut to children's mental health services is 'sad' and 'frustrating'
Release Date 09 January 2015
With the news that NHS spending on children's mental health services in England has fallen by more than 6% Professor Shirley Reynolds, Director of the University of Reading's Charlie Waller Institute for Evidence-Based Psychological Treatment, provides comment.
"This is sad and frustrating news which highlights that when it comes to mental health, we are letting children down. Young people deserve to receive the best possible start in life. If not treated quickly and effectively, the mental distress in young people can often have life-changing negative effects damaging relationships, education and job prospects.
"Around 10% of children under-15 have a diagnosable mental health problem. These problems cause misery and suffering for children and their families. It is essential that we put the needs of young people and children first. Treatment should be swiftly sought and readily available. There is a range of effective evidence based psychological treatments which children and teenagers should always be offered as soon as problems are noticed."