The issue of mental health has become a hot-button topic in the UK of late, with a particular focus on the issues encountered by children and teenagers. Official figures from 2008 revealed that 10% of children under the age of 16 suffered with a clinical mental health issue, whilst an estimated 70% of adolescents had failed to receive the appropriate interventions when they were younger.
Most commentators believe that the issue has worsened during the last decade or so, thanks largely to the rise of social media usage and a crucial lack of investment at a national government level.
However, vital improvements to the treatment of mental health conditions amongst teenagers in the UK may be on the way, with government-backed research offering critical support to youngsters who are battling an array of issues such as depression, anxiety and eating disorders.
A Look at the New Initiative – What to Expect
The new research initiative will cost the government £35 million, and it was launched officially last week.
It’s primary aim is to afford teenagers practical support that helps them to deal with their mental health issues, with academics having been instructed to consider everything from external pressures and genetics to deliver the best possible treatment plans going forward.
The key focus here revolves around identifying mental health issues and commencing treatment at an earlier age, when the brain is still developing and more susceptible to external influence.
The reason for this is simple; as adolescence is a poorly understood period in our lives when the brain remains particularly sensitive to a host of external and social influences. So, by creating an infrastructure that supports early intervention, potential mental health issues can be diagnosed quicker and treated in the most effective way possible.
“Our teenage years can be the most fantastic of our life. But there are those for whom the teenage years are the most difficult, “ said the business secretary Andrea Leadsom as part of her official statement. “We know that in the UK, three quarters of those that will experience mental health problems will do so before they turn 24.”
“So, the £35 million research programme we are announcing today will look to better understand why so many teenagers face mental health problems, and how we can better support, detect and treat them.”
How This Will Benefit Teenagers and Schools Nationwide
This five-year research project is certainly detailed in its scope, as academics will explore the early interactions of children along with their biological background and social relationships. It will also review their achievements at school, in an attempt to identify key risk factors and improve awareness amongst parents and teachers in particular.
This will clearly benefit the next generation of youngsters in the UK, who at a heightened risk of developing mental issues in an age of social media and endless media consumption.
Schools and educational institutions may also benefit, however, as the ability to identify depressed or anxious students at an early age could negate the impact of long-term bullying.
Remember, schools often have to liaise with legal experts like Browne Jacobson when dealing with bullying cases, whilst they can also become embroiled in court cases if they fail to safeguard their pupils effectively.
In this respect, early identification and increased awareness could help to save school considerable sums of money, while also creating an environment where pupils are better protected against the risk of mental health issues.
