1 in 5 children are rejected mental health treatment

One fifth of all children referred to local specialist NHS mental health services, are rejected for treatment, according to new research. This includes children whose problems stem from abuse.

Statistics from 35 Mental Health Trusts across England show that of a total of

• 186,453 cases referred by GPs and other professionals
• 39,652 children did not receive help

A worrying picture also emerged from 6 mental health trusts who provided a breakdown of outcomes for children referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) who had problems associated with abuse or neglect. In these trusts 305 of the 1,843 – 1 in 6 – cases were rejected.