Health Management and Policy Alert

Infant and early childhood mental health: the case for action

Royal College of Psychiatrists - 

This report outlines: the importance of mental health in babies and young children under five; relevant risk factors, protective factors and higher risk groups; effective public mental health interventions to treat mental health conditions, prevent associated impacts, prevent mental healthconditions, and promote mental wellbeing and resilience in babies and young children; the implementation gap for public mental health interventions; and required actions to address the implementation gap. The College is calling on the government to introduce new specialist services and ensure every family has access to the support they need, regardless of where they live.

• Report
• Press release

The maternal mental health experiences of young mums

Maternal Mental Health Alliance -
This briefing explores the mental health experiences of young mums. Findings from a rapid review of the literature and focus groups with young mums from across the UK show that young mums aged 16-25 are at higher risk of experiencing mental health problems during pregnancy and after birth. It also finds that they and face barriers in accessing support and, where they do access support, experiences of services can be poor.

• Briefing
• Maternal Mental Health Alliance - news

Five years on: are we achieving parity between physical and mental health?

Royal College of Nursing (RCN) -
This survey finds that only one in ten nursing staff think governments are achieving equality between mental and physical health care with 95 per cent of respondents believing mental health care inequality exists. More than half say it’s got worse or much worse since the pandemic. Nursing staff report that patients are being forced to wait for months and travel miles for mental health treatment or are having to pay privately to get the care they need. The RCN is calling on all governments across the UK to support mental health care by increasing funding, improving access to services, and ensuring there are safe levels of staffing.

• Report
• RCN - news

Reducing trauma for children in healthcare: play in hospital report 2023

Starlight Children’s Foundation - 

This report highlights the connection between play and improved mental health and identifies significant shortages of play resources in UK hospitals. There are only 571 registered health play specialists (HPS) nationwide dealing with almost 1.8 million child admissions annually. Given that 47 percent of HPS work part-time, the average ratio is one full-time HPS for every 3,986 child admissions. Additionally, 71 percent of NHS trusts and health boards lack a dedicated play budget, despite 54 percent of surveyed children expressing concerns about hospital visits.

• Report
• More detail

A constant battle: exploring the intergenerational consequences of racism in the UK

Centre for Mental Health (CMH) - 

This briefing finds that racism has far-reaching impacts on parents, their children, and the relationships between them. Based on research between the CMH and King’s College London with both parents and teenagers from UK racialised communities, it finds that both past and present experiences of racism can affect mental health across generations of a family. The briefing calls on the government to commit to tackling all forms of racism through a cross-government strategy. It also says that the Department for Health and Social Care and NHS England should fully resource work with racialised communities to design more racially equitable mental health support.

• Report
• Press release

Inequalities in mental health care for Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities: identifying best practice

NHS Race & Health Observatory -
This report addresses the lack of mental health care provision, despite the significant need, and captures first hand insight and good practice examples from six effective services. These services are mainly run by voluntary Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller organisations for members of these communities. It finds that, whilst shame, stigma and structural barriers contribute to a number of areas in which Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities experience health inequalities, this is worsened by a lack of granular data and tailored health services. Additionally, health care professionals do not always understand the communities’ needs or lifestyles. Mental health services are especially poor for these groups, and data shows a high number of suicides.

• Report
• NHS Race & Health Observatory - news

A mentally healthier nation: towards a ten-year, cross-government plan for better prevention, equality and support

Centre for Mental Health -
This report, published on behalf of over 30 national charities, sets out what a long-term government mental health plan for England could look like. It calls for action to tackle poverty and racial injustice, for reforms to the benefits and justice systems, and for further investment in better and more equitable mental health services. It draws on evidence provided to the UK Government’s consultation on its proposed ten-year plan to identify the actions that are necessary to protect people’s mental health, reduce mental health inequalities, and improve mental health services nationwide.

• Report
• Centre for Mental Health - press release

The good childhood report 2023

Children's Society - 

In this year’s survey, nearly one-third of children aged 10 to 17 expressed unhappiness in at least one of ten areas of their lives. While 74 per cent were optimistic about their personal futures, less than 40 per cent felt positive about the future of their country and the world. Notably, 14.5 per cent of respondents were dissatisfied with school, the highest among the surveyed aspects. Children worried about family finances reported higher overall unhappiness, particularly regarding their homes, money, possessions, and personal choices. Among future concerns, having enough money topped the list, followed by finding employment and academic success. In societal issues, rising prices and environmental concerns were prominent worries among the surveyed children.

• Report
• More detail

Suicide prevention in England: 5-year cross-sector strategy

Department of Health and Social Care - 

This strategy sets out the government’s ambitions over the next five years to: reduce suicide rates; improve support for people who have self-harmed; and improve support for people bereaved by suicide. The strategy was informed by the mental health call for evidence launched in 2022, and was developed to identify priority groups, suicide risk factors and steps we need to take. It includes steps and actions from across government and a wide range of organisations to achieve these ambitions.

• Strategy
• More detail
• Press release

Working together to prevent suicide in the NHS workforce: a national suicide prevention toolkit for England

NHS England - 

This toolkit has been designed to help NHS organisations reduce the risk of suicide in their workforce. It will assist organisations to embed suicide prevention strategies in the organisation’s health and wellbeing policies and guide the approach to supporting those at risk of suicide within the workforce.

• Toolkit
• More detail