More than 110,000 children in London are suffering from “significant mental ill health”, a report reveals.
One in 10 of those aged between five and 16 in the capital have a clinically significant condition. More than 1,800 a year are being admitted to hospital.
The report by Public Health England warns of failings in the care system, with one in four children across the country receiving the treatment they require.
Questions in Parliament revealed the Government has no idea how many children are being treated on adult psychiatric wards or are being referred for care outside of their home region.
The PHE report, published to help target funding on neglected areas and reduce suicide, found that in London:
- Nearly 40,000 children suffer with anxiety.
- More than 10,000 experience depression and about 19,000 are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
- More than 68,000 have conduct disorder — a serious behavioural and emotional disorder.
- One in six London 15-year-olds reported low life satisfaction — higher than the national average. The figure was highest in Lewisham, where almost one in five said they were dissatisfied.
Factors include deprivation, gender — girls are more likely to report low life satisfaction — ethnicity and sexual orientation. Children who experience mental ill health are more likely to smoke and misuse alcohol and drugs.
Report author Dr Marilena Korkodilos, a paediatrician and child health lead for PHE London, said: “The scale of the problem is significant. Of a typical class of 30 children, there will be three who will have a mental health issue.”
Dr Marc Bush, chief policy adviser at the charity YoungMinds, said: “Early intervention is crucial.”
