‘I wasn’t deemed sick enough’: The crisis in children’s mental health services

Published

2 years ago

November 19, 2023

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Mia was just 10 years old when she and her family knew she needed mental health support.

But their attempts to access help were met with delays and denials that lead to such a severe deterioration in her condition it nearly cost Mia her life.

“I wasn’t deemed sick enough, I was told it was fine and there was nothing wrong with me”, Mia explains. “I was telling them, ‘this is not normal’, and they didn’t listen.”

But Mia was struggling. Her mental health was worsening and would eventually reach crisis point.

“By the time I was 12 I was self-harming. I felt like some days I couldn’t cope with the day but I was still performing well academically and that, when you’re a kid in this country, that is how they mark your wellbeing.”

It was when Mia turned 15 that help eventually came but only after she suffered a breakdown. She was arrested for false imprisonment and criminal damage after an attack on her teacher, and eventually admitted to a psychiatric unit.

Mia believes earlier intervention would have prevented her deterioration into crisis.

“I would have killed myself. I would have. Mental health care is lifesaving, just as lifesaving as cardiac care, just as lifesaving as diabetes care. You cannot live a healthy, happy life if you are mentally unwell, without support.”

Mia’s story about her struggle to access the right mental health care at the right time exposes a system in crisis. Children and young adults across the country are being forced to endure long waits for specialist care and demand continues to grow.

NHS England estimates a quarter of all 17 to 19-year-olds now have a probable mental health disorder compared to one in 10 just six years ago.

David Barker and his team at Youth Talk offer free confidential counselling for 13 to 25-year-olds.

But they are overrun with record numbers of children and young people in need of help.

The charity has doubled its capacity – but even this is not enough.

Mr Barker told Sky News: “Before the pandemic there was a crisis of young people struggling with their mental health, the pandemic has compounded all of that, hugely, and as a result of that we’re seeing a long tail of the COVID pandemic in terms of mental health and particularly young people.”

Community health services are also struggling. A survey of NHS Providers found that children are now waiting an average of 91 weeks for an autism spectrum disorder assessment and between 72 and 207 weeks for an ADHD assessment.

Jenna Hughes had to wait three years for a diagnosis for her eldest child Amelia.

Her youngest, Imogen, has already been waiting for a year. Caring for Amelia and Imogen without any extra help is having an impact on everyone in the family.

“I’ve struggled with my mental health,” Jenna says. “Because of the level of care my children need. That’s hard on my family. The NHS is overrun but it puts so much pressure on families, and strain and stress.”

Demand is only expected to increase.

And if there is no urgent action, healthcare providers like the Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust predict that by next year their community waiting lists for children and young people will have more than doubled since the pandemic.

Its chief executive Elliot Howard-Jones said the biggest challenge for his trust in responding to the growing crisis was finding the right staff.

“It’s absolutely not where we want to be, we want to have much shorter waiting times for children, it significantly affects their life chances and their educational attainment if we don’t see them quickly.

“The biggest challenge in terms of community services is not the vision for what we want to do which is clearly to support people at home and to help children develop as best as they can, it’s getting the staff and growing the service quickly enough to be able to respond.”

Mia is 21 now. She is in the final year of a wild animal biology degree at the Royal Veterinary College after passing her A levels with top grades.

But the outcome could have been very different and for the many thousands of children still struggling it will be unless the crisis in children’s mental health is addressed urgently.

UK

Liverpool trophy parade: Man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and drug offences, police say

Published

4 hours ago

May 28, 2025

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Liverpool trophy parade: Man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and drug offences, police say

A suspect detained after a car struck pedestrians at a Liverpool FC trophy parade was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drugs, Merseyside Police have said.

The 53-year-old is described as white British and from the West Derby area of Liverpool.

Police say 11 people are still being treated in hospital and are recovering well. A total of 65 people were injured, they said.

Liverpool parade updates: Follow the latest developments

At a press briefing this afternoon, assistant chief constable Jenny Sims said the car followed an ambulance after a road block on Water Street was lifted so paramedics could help a man who had a suspected heart attack.

The car entered the road from Rumford Street, Merseyside Police said.

Detectives have said the incident is not being treated as terror-related, and no further suspects are being sought.

“There was no intelligence to suggest an incident of this nature would take place,” Ms Sims said.

She also defended the policing operation during the parade, saying the force planned for “all contingencies”.

Her comment came after the city’s metro mayor Steve Rotheram said questions about how the car was able to enter the road were “legitimate”.

The arrested man remains in custody and is being interviewed by officers, police said.

Merseyside Police is receiving help from neighbouring forces “due to the number of victims”, detective chief superintendent Karen Jaundrill added.

She continued: “Extensive CCTV inquiries are being carried out across the city to establish the movements of the car, a Ford Galaxy, before the incident took place.

“We have already had an incredible response from many of those who were there last night.”

Couple ‘traumatised’ after being hit

A couple hit by the car told Sky News they have been left “traumatised”.

Jack Trotter and his girlfriend Abbie Gallagher had just met some other Liverpool fans and were taking videos, when the Ford Galaxy quickly approached.

Miss Gallagher told Sky told our communities correspondent Lisa Holland she was separated from her boyfriend as the car struck them both.

“I look around and there’s people in the air,” she said. “I just freaked out. I was just trying to find Jack.

“Luckily enough, he heard me screaming. He came up and said, ‘I’m here’. We didn’t know what to say, we were just crying.”

Royals ‘saddened’ by events

Messages of support have been sent to the people of Liverpool since the incident, with the Prince and Princess of Wales saying they were “deeply saddened” by the events.

“What should have been a joyful celebration ended with tragedy,” they added.

Meanwhile, the King, who is currently taking part in a tour of Canada, said: “I know that the strength of community spirit for which your city is renowned will be a comfort and support to those in need.”

UK

Royal Family ‘deeply saddened’ by Liverpool parade incident

Published

7 hours ago

May 27, 2025

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Royal Family 'deeply saddened' by Liverpool parade incident

The King and other members of the Royal Family have said they are “deeply saddened” after a number of people were struck by a car during Liverpool FC’s title parade.

The monarch said he and the Queen were “deeply shocked and saddened” by Monday’s incident in the city.

The head of state, who is currently on a two-day visit in Canada with his wife, said: “It is truly devastating to see that what should have been a joyous celebration for so many could end in such distressing circumstances.

“At this heartbreaking time for the people of Liverpool, I know that the strength of community spirit for which your city is renowned will be a comfort and support to those in need.”

Liverpool parade latest: ‘All you heard was screaming,’ witness says

The Prince and Princess of Wales have also issued a statement, saying they were “deeply saddened” by what happened in Liverpool.

William, who is patron of the Football Association, and his wife Kate said in a message shared by Kensington Palace on social media: “What should have been a joyful celebration ended with tragedy.

“Our thoughts are with those who were injured and to the first responders and emergency services on the ground.”

Meanwhile, the Princess Royal visited the Royal Liverpool University Hospital on Tuesday, where she met medical staff who treated some of the 47 people injured when a vehicle hit fans attending the parade.

Divisional medical director for surgery at Aintree University Hospital, Marc Lucky, told Princess Anne that medics were “very, very fortunate” that there were not more major injuries.

Consultant Jay Rathore added: “Most of the injuries were limb injuries. No life-threatening, we were able to manage them.”

The princess was already due to be in Liverpool on Tuesday to visit the MS Queen Anne after it arrived on Monday for Cunard’s 185th anniversary celebrations.

Read more about Liverpool incident:
What we know so far after dozens injured
Eyewitnesses describe shock and sadness

She expanded her itinerary to also meet nurses, consultants, and paramedics, as well as representatives from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and the football club, in light of Monday night’s incident.

“We really appreciate you still coming, because it will mean a lot to the people of the city,” Liverpool City Council leader Liam Robinson said as he thanked the princess for her visit.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “The princess would like to share her heartfelt condolences and support for the families and communities affected.

“Her Royal Highness also wishes to acknowledge the courage of the emergency services, some of whom she met today, and all those providing care and comfort during this difficult time.”

UK

King says Canada will remain ‘strong and free’ despite facing ‘unprecedented’ challenges

Published

7 hours ago

May 27, 2025

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King says Canada will remain 'strong and free' despite facing 'unprecedented' challenges

King Charles says Canada will remain “strong and free” – in a speech viewed by many Canadians as a show of support for the country’s sovereignty following annexation threats by Donald Trump.

It comes after Mr Trump repeatedly suggested that Canada should become America’s 51st state.

Prime Minister Mark Carney later invited Charles, who is the head of state in Canada, to the state opening of parliament.

On Tuesday, Charles said in a speech, written by Mr Carney’s government to open Canada’s parliament, that the country would remain “strong and free”, quoting the national anthem, but did not directly refer to Mr Trump’s annexation threats.

“We must face reality: since the Second World War, our world has never been more dangerous and unstable. Canada is facing challenges that, in our lifetimes, are unprecedented,” the King told politicians in the Senate Building in Ottawa in French.

“Many Canadians are feeling anxious and worried about the drastically changing world around them,” he added.

In the speech, he highlighted his admiration for “Canada’s unique identity, which is recognised across the world for bravery and sacrifice in defence of national values”.

He set out the government’s legislative agenda on the second day of his Canada visit, an honour usually reserved for the governor general.

King Charles is only the second monarch, after his mother Queen Elizabeth II, to do so. The late queen delivered the speech at the state opening of the Canadian parliament in 1957, her first visit to the country as head of state, and again in 1977.

He said that it has been nearly 70 years since his mother first opened the Canadian parliament, and at the time, World War II remained a painful memory while the Cold War was intensifying simultaneously.

“Freedom and democracy were under threat,” the King said.

“Today, Canada faces another critical moment. Democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, self-determination, and freedom are values which Canadians hold dear, and ones which the government is determined to protect.”

‘So much more than a royal visit’

This trip was so much more than a royal visit, it was all about cementing Canada’s sovereignty.

And what we’ve seen is two short days, poignantly packed with spectacle and symbolism.

From an open-top carriage procession to a theatrical political ceremony – Canada wanted to put on a visual show of sovereignty, and this was a masterclass.

All the stops were pulled out.

The King must sit above politics, but this was a very political visit. He is King of Canada and head of state here.

But he arrives at a time of fractious relations between Canada and the US.

Putting him at the centre of Canada’s parliament sends a strong signal to President Trump.

During the speech, the King added his own warm words, speaking with deep affection about the country. He also spoke of how the crown brings Canada “unity” and represents “stability and continuity”.

And then, reading the words of his government, a punchy message to President Trump. Delivered by the King, the words hit home harder.

When he quoted the national anthem with the words Canada must stay “strong and free”, the applause rose up.

At a time when Canada feels threatened by the US, having the King on side matters.

The King has been walking a delicate diplomatic tightrope in Ottawa. Here to celebrate Canada, without causing offence to politicians south of the border.

President Trump can be unpredictable, but he affectionately holds the King and Royal Family in high regard, and that goes a long way.

The King heads home after just twenty-three hours.

Canada has been visibly boosted – the bond with its King has been renewed and strategically strengthened.

He added that since Queen Elizabeth II’s first Canadian parliament opening, the country “has dramatically changed: repatriating its constitution, achieving full independence, and witnessing immense growth”.

Addressing the protection of Canada’s sovereignty, Charles read out a promise by the Canadian government that it would rebuild, rearm and reinvest in its armed forces.

“It will invest to strengthen its presence in the north, as this region, which is an integral part of the Canadian nation, faces new threats,” he read.

The speech, which was awarded a standing ovation by attendees, was largely written by officials working for Mr Carney’s government, with Charles adding his own comments about his love for Canada.

The King opening Canada’s parliament is a “clear message of sovereignty” and “not coincidental”, Mr Carney previously said.

He also revealed that Canadians “weren’t impressed” by the decision of the UK government to offer Mr Trump an unprecedented second state visit to the UK.

Mr Carney said the invitation Sir Keir Starmer handed to the US president earlier this year “cut across clear messages” that the Canadian government was trying to send to the White House in response to their threats against Canada’s sovereignty, including Mr Trump’s idea for it to be America’s 51st state.