The NHS has said that more young people than ever before are receiving treatment for eating disorders, an increase of a quarter compared to last year.
Latest figures indicate that almost 10,000 children and young people started treatment between April and December with record demand for services, up by almost two thirds since before the pandemic and an increase of a quarter compared to the same period last year.
The NHS is investing an additional £79 million into children’s mental health services because of increased demand during the pandemic, with funding being used to ensure at least 2,000 more children and young people start eating disorder treatment. Services, including eating disorder services, are being backed by an additional £2.3 billion every year in additional funding until 2023/24 as part of the NHS Long Term Plan’s commitment to improving mental health services.
NHS leaders are advising young people and their loved ones to use trusted online resources if they had concerns and wanted to seek help. Some of the signs to look out for included behaviours such as making rules about what or how they eat, eating a restricted range of foods or having a negative self-image about their weight and appearance.
Claire Murdoch, NHS Mental Health Director said: “NHS services remained open throughout the pandemic as hard-working mental health staff worked to deliver care to more people than ever before. The NHS continues to see record-high numbers of young people for eating disorders and it is vital anybody who might need care comes forward as quickly as possible so the NHS can get you any care you may need.
“Parents can find information on potential symptoms, such as binge eating, feeling guilty after eating, and negative self-image, and other signs of a potential eating disorder are available on the NHS website and they should not hesitate to contact the NHS if they think their child might need some support.”
Professor Chitsabesan, NHS Associate Clinical Director for Children and Young People’s Mental Health, recommends helpful support from charities doing important work in this area including BEAT which has designated pages to help young people who may be struggling with an eating problem, including an eating disorder, and provide advice.
