With good mental health, children and young people do better in every way. Good mental health allows children and young people to develop the resilience to grow into well-rounded, healthy adults.
Children and young people with good mental health are happier in their families, are able to learn better, do well at school, and enjoy friendships and new experiences.
Childhood and teenage years are when mental health is developed and patterns are set for the future. So a child with good mental health is much more likely to have good mental health as an adult, and to be able to take on adult responsibilities and fulfil their potential.
In 2023, one in five children and young people aged 8yrs to 25yrs had a probable mental health condition. They include depression, anxiety and conduct disorders, and are often a direct response to what is happening in their lives.
There are certain ‘risk factors’ that make some children and young people more likely to experience problems than other children.
Some of these factors include:
- Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) exposure to physical or sexual abuse, domestic conflict or violence, and having a parent or carer with a mental health problem can significantly affect mental health
- Poverty and Housing instability Living in poverty or experiencing frequent moves can create stress and affect mental well-being
- Family relationships Parental conflict, neglect, abuse, and substance abuse can lead to mental health struggle
- Educational setting bullying, peer pressure, and isolation can have a profound impact on mental health
- Social environment Factors such as loneliness, bullying, and lack of social connections can contribute to mental health issues
Child and Family Health Devon (CFHD)
CFHD provides care and treatment for children and young people with various health needs, such as behvaviour, learning, mental health, and physical disabilities.
Requesting help from CFHD
Anyone aged under 18 who lives in Devon (excluding Plymouth) can get specialist care from CFHD. To get help from CFHD you will need a referral. A referral is the way to ask to see an NHS specialist.
CFHD accepts referrals from:
- Parents and carers
- Young people aged 16 to 17 years
- Doctors
- Healthcare professionals
- Some school staff
You can find a list of all of CFHD’s pathways and how to refer into each one, on the CFHD website: Our referral forms - Children and Family Health Devon
Resources
- Barnardo’s protects and supports the UK’s most vulnerable children. They provide a range of services to help and support children, young people, parents and carers.
- CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) runs a free, confidential helpline and webchat service offering help and advice to anyone feeling down or in need of support.
- ChildLine is a free, confidential service where children can talk about any issue they’re going through. You can call their helpline or use their webchat to speak to a trained counsellor.
- The Children’s Society supports children going through serious life challenges. They run services and campaigns to make children’s lives better.
- Contact offers advice and support to families with children with disabilities. If you’re a parent caring for a child with a disability, you can arrange to speak to an adviser for practical and emotional support.
- Family Lives offers information and support on all aspects of family life, including the stages of child development, issues with schools, parenting support, bullying and mental health concerns.
- Papyrus supports people under 35 who have thoughts of suicide and others who are concerned about them. You can contact them by phone, text or email.
- Penumbra supports adults and young people in Scotland with mental health problems. They offer services that provide practical and emotional support.
- You can text Shout on 85258 for confidential support by text.
- The Mix offers free emotional support to people under 25 by phone, webchat or email. They also offer a short-term counselling service.
- YoungMinds offers information and support to young people about their mental health and helps adults to support young people in their lives. If you’re a parent worried about a child’s mental health, you can call their helpline.
If you have a serious concern about a child you should follow the CAMHS referral process.
For more information, help and advice visit the Mental Health Foundation or MindEd.
