Lightning review: access to child and adolescent mental health services, May 2016

Lightning review: access to child and adolescent mental health services, May 2016 This review of access to mental health services highlights the long waiting lists and restricted access for those with life-threatening conditions. From a request of data from public bodies, the review found that 28 per cent of children who were referred for specialist mental health treatment in 2015 did not receive a service. A significant proportion of children with life-threatening mental health conditions - 14 per cent of the 3,000 about whom information was obtained - were denied specialist support. These included children who had attempted suicide or serious self-harm and those with psychosis and anorexia nervosa. Children's Commissioner