Mental health services are failing children and adolescents

Improvements are urgently needed in the provision of mental health services to children and adolescents, according to Children in Mind, a report published by the Audit Commission.

The report provides evidence that one in five children and adolescents suffer from a wide range of mental health problems, including emotional, conduct, and eating disorders. This proportion has been increasing in industrialised countries since the second world war.

The commission audited the current purchasing and provision of specialist services by sending questionnaires to commissioners and providers and by a caseload survey and diary of involved professionals. It reviewed …