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Eating disorders among children have tripled over the past four years, while referrals to the mental health service have shot up by over a quarter.
These are just some of the statistics of concern shared in a new four-year strategy drawn up by Government to improve the emotional wellbeing of the youngest islanders and ensure they can get help rapidly when they need it, which has now been put out for consultation.
Last week, minutes from the Government’s health experts highlighted how covid had significantly impacted young people’s mental health across the past year. However, this new strategy traces an increase dating back to 2016.
According to a report accompanying the strategy, it's estimated that one in six children, aged five to sixteen years old, and one in five 17 to 22-year-olds in Jersey, are likely to have a mental health disorder.
Pictured CAMHS referrals have seen a year-on-year increase over the past four years.
Meanwhile, referrals to mental health services have increased by 26% over the last 4 years to 683 in 2020.
It added that the acceptance rate of those referred onto the service “has also increased from 72% to 90%, leading to a 59% increase in referrals accepted onto the service caseload.”
Emergency referrals have also been increasing, with a quarter of all referrals in 2019 falling into this category, double the UK mean average of 12%.
Pictured: There is currently no specialist in-patient provision for children suffering acute mental health illness.
The impact of this on CAMHS has meant that its caseload has increased from 609 in 2016, to 872 by 31 March 2021, in a sustained year-on-year increase.
Discussing the current resources used to tackle this caseload, the report pointed out that CAMHS in Jersey has pressure to support a “much wider range of need” than elsewhere, with stakeholders observing "the increasing pressure on CAMHS to support those with lower level mental health needs as well as those with more acute and enduring needs, with insufficient resource to do so effectively.”
Indeed, the ADHD pathway sits primarily within CAMHS’ services, taking up 44% of cases.
Equally, there is no specialist in-patient provision for children suffering acute mental health illness, or home treatment/intensive support service.
CAMHS currently operates with 21.35 Full Time Equivalent staff, three of which are administrative staff.
The report compared how small this team was relative to other islands, highlighting that the Isle of Man, which is a quarter smaller, has 23.5FTE, and Guernsey (45% smaller) has 18FTE.
Pictured: 55% of paediatric bed occupants were admitted on mental health grounds.
2020 also saw the highest number of CAMHS inpatient admissions to the General Hospital, with their services in the paediatric ward making up for 55% overall bed occupancy.
In particular, it noted how many of these related to eating disorders – while the report stated these were still at a “relatively low number,” it noted that they had more than tripled over the past four years.
The current number of children classified as having an eating disorder stands at 44 as of April 2021.
The report also noted that “research indicates that children and young people that are 'looked after' or 'care experienced' are approximately four times more likely to have a mental disorder than children living in their birth families.”
Pictured: Mid-late teens make up the bulk of the CAMHS caseload, with mental health clients seeming to drop off at 18 years old.
Another statistic suggested that almost a third of children aged five to 16 who have been involved with Social Services were receiving support from CAMHS.
“In Jersey we know that there are 528 cases open to Children’s social care including care leavers, there are 826 open to CAMHS, with 112 children and young people open to both services suggesting that almost a third of children aged 5 to 16 who are open to Children’s Social Care in Jersey, are receiving support from CAMHS,” it reads.
The report highlighted gaps in perinatal care, noting that maternal depression causes a “a five-fold increased risk of mental health illness for the child.”
Pictured: Improved care for pregnant women could bring a net benefit of £440,000 per annum.
One in five mothers suffer post-natal depression in Jersey, but only 50% receive support.
Applying English modelling to Jersey, the report states that if an improved pathway was implemented, the island could expect to see a net benefit of approximately £440,000 per annum.
The strategy noted a clear message from a workshop in February last year: “Please stop consulting, we are always asked to give our views, and we have told you time and time again what to do. Please just get on with it.”
the Government has now laid out a 16-point plan, which will put emphasis on early intervention, prevention, multi-agency services and training, and implementing new initiatives including:
Kooth.com, an online counselling service for which 400 13-25 year olds have also signed up to, will also continue to be evaluated.
A commitment of £6m over three years 2022-24 has been agreed to fund mental health services in Jersey, with a further £2.25m occurring from 2025 forwards.
Assistant Minister for Children and Education, Deputy Trevor Pointon said: “Mental ill health is a significant challenge in Jersey.
“Too many children and young people struggle with their wellbeing and mental health and they often report finding it difficult to get the help and support they need, when they need it.
“This last year, through the pandemic, has been particularly challenging and we can expect that this will contribute further to children and young people’s mental health needs.
“It is therefore more important, than ever, that we consider what we want our children and young people’s mental health services to look like in the future, based on evidence of best practice.
“We must take the opportunity to build high quality services, improving and transforming current arrangements.”
Pictured: Assistant Minister for Children and Education, Deputy Trevor Pointon, has responsibility for CAMHS.
He added: "I would like to thank all those who have been involved in developing this draft strategy.
"Your voice, your experience, your expertise, and your input have been instrumental in getting us to this point. I would also encourage everyone to read the strategy, share their views and get involved in the new Strategic Advisory Panel to support the Government in implementing this strategy.”
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