In response to mounting concerns that children and young people’s mental health is being overlooked by the new Government, we've partnered with three leading national charities – Centre for Mental Health, The Centre for Young Lives, and the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition.
Together, we're launching a joint campaign to elevate youth mental health on the Government's agenda.
Pooling our networks, expertise, and resources, we aim to deliver a unified campaign that resonates with policymakers ahead of critical decisions in the upcoming Spending Review and 10 Year Plan for Health.
Why investing in children’s mental health will unlock economic growth
Our report highlights the severe implications of ignoring youth mental health, and shows how proven interventions can transform lives, reduce mental ill health, and unlock young people’s potential.
The decline in young people’s mental health is one of the biggest health, social and economic challenges of our time.
More than one in five children and young people in England now have a diagnosable mental health condition, yet the NHS can only support around 40% of those in need. Many still aren’t getting the right care, and services are struggling to keep up, leaving millions without support.
As well as the huge human cost, this crisis has serious financial and economic consequences. Without action, the strain on public services will only continue to grow. It harms productivity, earnings and the Government’s agenda for economic growth. And with the long-term impacts of poor mental health still unfolding, the situation is becoming unsustainable.
But change is possible.
The Government’s focus on public service reform and economic growth presents a crucial opportunity to act. Addressing the youth mental health crisis will support four of its five key Missions: Growth, Opportunity, Health, and Safer Streets. We're calling for a costed, phased plan to drive meaningful change.
Increase funding for children and young people’s mental health services to meet 70% of diagnosable need by the end of this Parliament. This requires year-on-year investment, starting with an additional £167 million in 2025/26.
Roll out Mental Health Support Teams across England by the end of this Parliament, ensuring they can meet a broader range of needs. This will require an additional £57 million per year until 2029.
Establish mental health hubs in every community through the Young Futures programme, ensuring every child and young person has a place to turn. This should be scaled up, eventually costing £169 million per year to provide a hub in every local authority area.
Develop a comprehensive children and young people’s mental health workforce plan to support young people's mental health.
Commission an independent review to understand why more young people are struggling and how the system can respond more effectively.
Increase long-term local government funding for prevention and early intervention. This includes restoring the public health grant and youth services spending to 2015/16 levels and addressing gaps in children’s social care.
Youth mental health services don’t have the funding to meet growing demand.
Rising mental ill health affects not just young people but also public services, the economy, and long-term health outcomes.
Prevalence has surged since 2017, and without urgent action, the situation will deteriorate further.
There are cost-effective models that improve outcomes and reduce the wider impact of poor mental health.
The Government’s healthcare and public service reforms could transform youth mental health if properly prioritised.
We’re calling for ambitious reform and investment that will deliver long-term social and economic benefits.
Our report is backed by a range of leading national mental health and children and young people's organisations.
