Poverty and deprivation - key causes of mental health problems in children
Children from poorer backgrounds, children in care, asylum-seeker children and those who have witnessed domestic violence, are all at a higher risk of developing mental health problems, according to a new BMA report.
Alcohol and misuse of other substances are featured as causes or consequences of mental health problems,which can range from sleep disorders, excessive temper tantrums to depressive and obsessive disorders.
The report, Child and Adolescent Mental Health – A Guide for Healthcare Professionals, finds that mental health disorders in children are on the increase and that poverty and deprivation are major risk factors. One in 10 children between the ages of one and 15 has a mental health disorder – in real terms, this suggests that around 1.1 million children under the age of 18 would benefit from specialist services.These problems have a huge impact on families and carers, as well as on the individual.
On alcohol and substance misuse, the report says that these are sometimes linked to mental health problems, and of course a significant proportion of young people take alcohol and other drugs.Alcohol and other drugs can both exacerbate and trigger mental health problems; those with mental health problems are at greater risk of misusing drugs and alcohol and drug misuse can cause mental health problems.Alcohol can be attractive to those suffering from depression, for example,because it can increase confidence and produce feelings of wellbeing, drowning out problems in the short-term.However, alcohol its itself a depressant drug and so can also worsen the symptoms of depression, and increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviour.
Dr Vivienne Nathanson, Head of BMA Ethics and Science, said today: “Children from deprived backgrounds have a poorer start in life on many levels, but without good mental health they may not have a chance to develop emotionally and reach their full potential in life. For example, 45 per cent of children in the care of local authorities suffer from mental health problems.These children may have come from socially and economically deprived backgrounds, and are more likely to under-perform at school.There are a number of government policies currently being rolled out that are aimed at tackling these problems. It is essential that they deliver what they promise.”
A key barrier to young people using mental health services is that they are not tailored to meet their needs, says the report. For example, young people are more likely to access services that are open after school and not too far from where they live.The BMA says services need to take account of language and cultural differences.
According to the report, rates of mental health problems tend to be higher among children from black and minority ethnic groups, as they are “more likely to experience risk factors such as deprivation, discrimination and poor educational and employment opportunities”, the report claims, yet they often do not receive appropriate treatment.
There is a worrying shortage of mental healthcare professionals, including those from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, and this needs urgent attention, says the BMA report.
Key recommendations from the report include:
- The reforms outlined in the Child Poverty Review must be implemented to end child deprivation and therefore reduce risk factors for mental health problems.
- Children and young people need innovative and flexible health services that suit their ages and lifestyles.
- Current strategies for addressing child and adolescent mental health problems must be fully implemented.
- The media has a role to play in tackling the stigma of mental illness – a study of British tabloid newspapers found that 40 per cent of daily articles about mental health used derogatory terms such as ‘nutter’ or ‘loony’.
- The government must address the current shortage of mental healthcare professionals