Guardian October 22, 2023
Every pound spent helping children get community support could save nearly twice as much in long term, says Barnardo’s report
Every pound spent on helping young people access activities and support in the community could save nearly twice as much in dealing with longer-term mental health problems, according to new analysis.
The children’s charity Barnardo’s is urging the government to introduce a national strategy for “social prescribing” for young people in England amid a youth mental health crisis that is placing unprecedented demand on child and adolescent mental health services (Camhs).
Social prescribing refers to non-clinical treatments targeted at children who are experiencing mental health problems such as isolation, anxiety, low mood and low self-esteem, and is aimed at preventing...