Child mental health in England before and during the COVID-19 lockdown

Newlove-Delgado, Tamsin McManus Sally Sadler Katharine Thandi Sharon Vizard Tim Cartwright Cher Ford Tamsin; Newlove-Delgado, Tamsin; McManus, Sally; Sadler, Katharine; Thandi, Sharon; Vizard, Tim; Cartwright, Cher; Ford, Tamsin

This article considers the clinical and policy implications of initial results of the follow-up of England's Mental Health of Children and Young People (MHCYP) survey. This survey provides a resource on what the COVID-19 pandemic has meant for children. The study showed that the increase in probable mental health problems reported in adults also affected 5-16 year olds in England, with the incidence rising from 10.8% in 2017 to 16.0% in July 2020 across age, gender, and ethnic groups. The results highlight how social protection systems must respond to the socioeconomic challenges facing families. Findings reveal disrupted access to health care: 44.6% of 17-22 year olds with probable mental health problems reported not seeking help because of the pandemic. Clinicians have raised similar concerns about timely access to services, and a sharp decrease in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services referrals has been observed.5 Children and young people have been physically distanced from adults outside their family who might monitor their wellbeing and intervene: 21.6% of children and 29.0% of young people with probable mental health problems reported having no adult at school or work to whom they could turn during lockdown. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)