How can we give every child a mentally healthy start in life?

Thea Joshi

Dear friends,

What a year it’s been for all of us – thank you for supporting us through it! Yesterday we launched our final report of the year, on children’s healthy social development. Our research found that, while parents are commonly blamed for their children’s behavioural problems, these are often caused by exposure to multiple risks such as poverty and financial strain, racism, and inadequate housing.

We’ve also shared new work exploring how a Mental Health Commissioner for England could help to put mental health at the heart of government, which is clearly so needed right now.

We know that the holiday season is a difficult time for some people. If you’re struggling this year, consider taking a look at our helplines page which lists organisations available to provide support.

If you’re one of those lovely people who like to donate at Christmas, would you consider supporting our fight against mental health injustice?

On behalf of all of us at the Centre, I wish you a happy and peaceful Christmas season.

Thea

Growing Stronger Together

Children’s mental health is getting progressively poorer – and behavioural problems are one of the most common childhood mental health difficulties. Commissioned by Impact on Urban Health, we explored what factors can contribute to healthy social development, and what can increase the risk of childhood behavioural problems. Speaking to parents, children and professionals in Lambeth and Southwark, we found that while parents are commonly blamed for their child’s behavioural challenges, these are often caused by exposure to multiple risks such as poverty and financial strain, racism, and inadequate and overcrowded housing.

Text: We trap people in a diagnosis and system, and we lie to them – we tell people at the age of 12 they have a diagnosis, that it is biological and therefore difficult to change. All of this stuff is down to the environment people are in and what they have experienced.

Text: Children and young people do not exist in a vacuum: their behaviour is largely determined by the circumstances at home, in their communities and families. If children live in poverty, in poor housing conditions, witnessing or being subjected to domestic and community violence and other traumas, then that very often does come out in their behaviour in schools and other settings.

A mental health commissioner for England

In its report on the Government’s draft Mental Health Bill, a Committee of MPs and Peers made a new recommendation for the establishment of a Mental Health Commissioner for England.

This briefing explores the opportunity for the creation of a new statutory Mental Health Commissioner, drawing on international evidence from Commissions in other countries.

Title: A Mental Health Commissioner for England Text: Bulletpoint 1. Would have influence within government and the NHS, but with the freedom to speak out when necessary: to lead public debate, challenge stigma, and break boundaries. Bulletpoint 2: Could galvanise action across systems to improve population mental health and ensure people living with mental illness are treated fairly in every sphere of life. Bulletpoint 3: Could change the ways decisions get made – supported by a ‘mental health policy test’ that could be used by all departments to improve their impact on the nation’s wellbeing

As we reach the end of 2023, we remain unwavering in our commitment to eradicating mental health inequalities. We challenge policies that harm mental health and advocate for actions that help. But to continue our ground-breaking research, we need your help.

This Christmas, will you help us to fight injustice?

Text: Three ways you can help us make a difference this Christmas. 1. Text: Give in memory of a loved one. 2. Text: Gift a donation in place of a present 3. Text: Donate the cost of your daily commute

Let communities lead: reflections on lived experience and identity on World AIDS Day

by David Woodhead

Children’s mental health being threatened by mounting financial pressures on families, says Centre for Mental Health

From all of us here at the Centre, we wish you a happy and peaceful Christmas and holiday season. Thank you for all your support over the year, we couldn't do it without you.

Centre for Mental Health

The King's Fund Room AG.22

11-13 Cavendish Square

London, W1G 0AN

United Kingdom

Add us to your address book

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe