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Child Protection and Family Justice

Government responds to Nuffield funded study of adolescent mental health problems in the UK

Tue, 14 September 2004

The government has pledged fundamental reform of children's mental health services after the publication of evidence of the increase in emotional and behavioural problems among teenagers in the UK.

The health secretary, John Reid, has plans to provide 24-hour access to psychiatric services for the seriously disturbed and more help for troubled children through schools and local authorities.

Evidence of the increase in mental health problems of adolescents came from the findings of a team at the Institute of Psychiatry.

The Foundation funded their study of the mental well being of 15-16 year olds in 1974, 1986 and 1999. A minority of adolescents have always had mental health problems, but the research showed that this small group had almost doubled in size over this period.

As part of its 2004 Seminar Series on Children and Families, the Foundation has produced a Briefing Paper highlighting the main findings and presenting some of the resulting issues and questions. You can download the Paper here

Coverage of the research can also be found on the Guardian website

Last Updated Thu, 28 October 2004