Partnership experts contribute to independent review into mental health conditions, ADHD and autism
The review found that mental distress has increased substantially among children and young people, driven by factors including social media, financial insecurity, uncertainty about the future, poorer sleep and reduced feelings of connection and belonging. Referrals and diagnoses for ADHD and autism have risen significantly, but population-level prevalence of these conditions appears broadly stable. More than a million children had an open referral to mental health services in a single year, and more than 60,000 of them waited over two years.
Young people are struggling, but are often kept from accessing help by the lack of a diagnosis.
Professor Philip Shaw, Director of the King's Maudsley Partnership for Children and Young People
Its ten recommendations include moving from a system where diagnosis is the main route to help towards earlier, needs-led support, and making all diagnostic assessments for ADHD and autism a CQC-regulated activity.
Partnership academics and clinicians were among the review's 247 contributors, sitting on its steering group and topic groups. They include Professor Philip Shaw, Professor Edmund Sonuga-Barke, Professor Emily Simonoff and Professor Johnny Downs, who work on child and adolescent mental health, and Professor Al Santhouse, Professor Jayati Das-Munshi and Professor Craig Morgan, whose work spans adult mental health and inequalities.
Professor Philip Shaw, Director of the King's Maudsley Partnership for Children and Young People said, "The release of this vital report has shone a much needed light on one of the greatest challenges we are currently facing in the UK. Young people are struggling, but are often kept from accessing help by the lack of a diagnosis. The time that they spend waiting often results in a worsening of their condition which ultimately places a greater strain both on them as individuals, and on the services that need to treat them.
"The report also highlights fundamental gaps in our knowledge. For example, we currently do not know for sure how many children are autistic or living with ADHD in the UK. We need better research focused on children to find better solutions.
"I'd like to thank the many colleagues from across the King's Maudsley Partnership who gave their time and expertise to the Review. The world leading research that we are conducting alongside our talented clinicians will help young people across the country and the world reach better mental health."
The review concludes that rising levels of mental distress, particularly among children and young people, require a fundamental shift in how support is provided. It argues for a move from a system where diagnosis is often the main route to help towards a more flexible, needs-led approach that ensures support is available earlier and more effectively.
Professor Edmund Sonuga-Barke, Professor of Developmental Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience at King's College London said, “Working on the report was an intellectually and emotionally intense but interesting and enjoyable experience, scaffolded to success by great leadership and stimulating and knowledgeable colleagues.
"Personally, I was particularly interested to explore how changes in conceptions and diagnostic definitions of ADHD might have fed into increased ADHD recognition and to explore whether alternative formulations and systems might resolve some of the challenges that this increase has brought.
"After so much work by so many people it's very satisfying to see the publication of such a thoughtful, balanced and comprehensive report that recognises the real, multi-faceted and complex nature of the mental health and neurodevelopment challenges faced by the current generation of young people while at the same time highlighting critical areas for government action needed to address these in a way that means all young people can have the support they need”
The full report is available on the GOV.UK website.
For more information, please contact Tina Caruana (Communications Assistant)