“One of the most shocking findings of this report is the increase in young people having to seek treatment in A&E departments for mental health illnesses. This mirrors concerns raised by school leaders, who report that pupils often face great difficulty in accessing NHS mental health support services, resulting in their condition deteriorating into a medical emergency.
“Seven years ago the previous government published plans which were supposed to improve matters, but instead the situation appears to have worsened. The new government must ensure that those in need can access support promptly, no matter where they live. As a matter of urgency, it must deliver on its manifesto commitment to provide access to specialist mental health professionals in every school.”