No Fun for Welsh Children on World Mental Health Day - The View from a Mental Health Expert
Mark Powell
QC
09I10I09
On 10th October 2009
millions of people from across the globe celebrate World Mental
Health Day, raising awareness and much-needed funds for mental
health causes. The occasion presents a golden opportunity to report
on the services provided for perhaps the most vulnerable sections
of our society. Mark Powell QC, an expert on the subject of mental
health, presents his view of the situation here in Wales.
It is doubtful that we
will hear much crowing in Wales about the way that our children who
suffer with mental disorders are treated. The truth is that, not
withstanding nearly ten years of reports, investigations and
cajoling, Welsh children are at a significant disadvantage compared
with their English counterparts.
One in five children in
Wales suffers from mental health problems. The UK has seen an
increase in adolescent mental health problems in the last 25 years;
up to 20% of 16 to 25 year olds have a recognised mental disorder.
The Welsh Assembly Government recognised the seriousness of the
issue in its 2001 report “Everybody’s Business” and reaffirmed
those concerns in 2006, findings that have subsequently been
reiterated by reports from the Children’s Commissioner for Wales,
Barnardo’s Cymru and Save the Children.
Mental health provision
is provided by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
To match the situation in England, CAMHS in Wales would have
required £10 million per year. In fact it receives less than £1.5
million per year. This underfunding has led to a lack of adequately
trained and knowledgeable personnel. The average number of
CAMHS workers in England is 15 per 100,000 of the population; in
Wales the ratio is 5 per 100,000 (or less).
All the independent
reports commissioned in the last 5 years have concluded that the
service is grossly underfunded. Those of us who work with children
and mental health patients see on a daily basis the consequential
cost to society. The population of our prisons bears eloquent
testimony to the current state of affairs.
Based on my experience as
a mental health professional, my view is somewhat subjective. In
the last 10 years I have acted for children with mental health
difficulties for whom no placement can be found in Wales, having to
travel to various places such as Newcastle, Nottingham and
Northampton. It is hard enough to reintegrate such children into
the community when they are placed in institutions within the
community. It is virtually impossible when they are placed 200
miles away from their families and when inevitably the demands of
time placed upon social workers and health professionals mean that
they cannot have regular access to their clients.
To make matters worse,
the Legal Services Commission’s decisions have meant that they are
not able to have access to solicitors who practice in the locality
from which they come, with the result that advice is given to them
without any knowledge of the services that exist in their
area.
Against this desperate
background we hear of anticipated budget cuts. Without additional
funding, we will be lucky to maintain the present inadequate
service, let alone improve it. In my opinion, the cost of doing
nothing will be a terrible one. Surely the need for proper help for
those most at risk and their families outweighs the need for free
prescriptions for those who can afford it?
For further information
contact:
Mark Powell QC, Partner and Head of
Child Care at Hugh James
on 029 2022 4871 or email mark.powell@hughjames.com