ACTION FOR CHILDREN RESPONDS TO MILLENNIUM COHORT REPORT ‘MENTAL ILL HEALTH AT AGE 17 IN THE UK’

Action for Children’s director of policy and campaigns, Imran Hussain, said: “It’s clear the pandemic has inflicted huge damage on the mental health of our children. Today’s figures highlight this growing crisis, as well as what this means for millions of lives and future pressures on the NHS.

“Our frontline workers tell us the vast majority¹ of the children they support have been suffering with their mental health this year, with issues like night terrors, bed-wetting, self-harm and outbursts of anger. And with more and more families struggling to stay afloat, it’s deeply worrying to know that children growing up in poverty will experience worse mental health than their better off peers.

“We need the government to act now to help those most at risk. In next week’s spending review, the Chancellor must promise he will not cut the Universal Credit lifeline by taking away £1000 from every household in April. But we must also see improvements in early help so children don’t have to wait until their problems escalate into a mental health crisis before they get the support they need.”