It’s a long time since This Writer was at school, but there was absolutely no understanding of mental health problems among children back in the 1970s and 80s. Literally, none at all.

Back then, kids who developed problems were ridiculed by their classmates and ignored by teachers (and, to a certain extent, parents) – leading to a worsening of their condition.

I write from experience, as someone who has observed what happened to other people.

Should I have any reason to believe that the situation has improved in any way?

Distressed young people in care are often turned away by mental health services because they do not fit the criteria for treatment, MPs have heard.

This was despite it being known that three-fifths of children in care had some sort of mental health problem, the Commons education committee heard.

MPs were told more needed to be done to ensure these children’s needs were understood and met.

The government is investing £1.4bn by 2020 on children’s mental health.

Chief executive of Young Minds Sarah Brennan told the committee that many children were falling through the gaps in the system.

Source: Mental health services ‘turning care children away’ – BBC News

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