A group of charities has called on the government to overhaul the benefits system to tackle poverty and improve children's mental health.
A report from Centre for Mental Health, Save the Children UK and the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition has said that living in poverty is having a “devastating” impact on children’s mental health.
It also found that inadequate levels of benefits and the use of sanctions are driving family poverty and damaging the mental health of both parents and children.
The report 'A dual crisis' claims that children are being failed by the state’s inability to combat the ‘dual crises’ of poverty and mental ill health.
Research has revealed that at the number of children living in poverty has risen to 4.3 million and 1 in 5 children and young people aged 8 to 25 now have a diagnosable mental health problem in the UK.
Existing evidence shows that by the age of 11, the poorest children are four times more likely to have mental health difficulties than the wealthiest.
Andy Bell, chief executive at Centre for Mental Health, said: “Poverty casts a shadow over a child’s mental health, and it’s a shadow that can last a lifetime. Effective action from the Government can start to turn this around. Protecting children and families from poverty and its ill effects on their lives is not just good for the economy. It’s a health intervention, and a vital one at that. For a mission-led Government, it will open the door to improved child health, preventing illness, boosting business, and strengthening communities.”
Amy Whitelock Gibbs, chair of the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition, said: “Mental health and child poverty are inextricably linked. It is no coincidence that rates of mental health difficulties in children and young people and rates of child poverty have risen in tandem over recent years and are now both at their highest levels in a decade. The new Government must confront this reality and take action now to tackle child poverty as a root cause of mental health problems, by publishing both a child poverty strategy and a mental health strategy.”
In response to the report, Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive, NHS Providers, said: “This report underscores what NHS trust leaders tell us. Poverty is driving record demand for mental health services and contributing to more complex conditions among children and young people.
“Our own report shows deep concern among NHS trust leaders about meeting demand for services, including mental health, and the impact long waits for care are having on inequalities among children and young people.
“The government has pledged to improve mental health provision for young people and ensure that mental health gets the same attention and focus as physical health.
“Child poverty has been made worse by the cost of living crisis. A cross-government approach to improving the health and wellbeing of children and young people is vital to protect a whole generation at risk of being left behind.”
