“Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands give me delight.”
[May.25.2022] The number of young people experiencing mental health deterioration has increased significantly in the wake of the global epidemic of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the local daily Guardian reported on the 22nd (local time).
According to the latest edition of ‘Mental Health Service Monthly Statistics’ by the National Health Service (NHS), a British public health service, as of the end of February, there were 420,314 children and adolescents under the age of 18 receiving psychiatric treatment or waiting for treatment in England.
The British medical system adopts a process that a local hospital doctor first treats a patient and if it is determined that additional treatment or surgery is necessary, then the NHS general hospital or the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) is referred to it.
In other words, the number of children and adolescents identified as requiring treatment by a psychiatrist is now more than 420,000. This is the highest number since data collection began in 2016 and a 54% increase in two years.
Ollie Parker, head of foreign cooperation at the charity “Young Mins,” which deals with mental health issues for children and adolescents, told the Guardian, “Young people have been quarantined for the past two years and their opportunities to be educated have been hindered. The opportunity to meet a counselor or doctor was also limited,” he said. “This situation has had a hugely adverse effect on their mental health.”
The problem is that statistics can only be the tip of the iceberg. It is pointed out that more children and adolescents may not have even stepped on the threshold of hospitals while suffering from problems.
The Guardian pointed out that even if they decide to be treated and meet a doctor, they often waste time waiting for their turn at a specialised hospital.
Although receiving treatment at the NHS is free, a chronic disadvantage is a long waiting time. The Guardian said that in some areas, children who were referred for mental health treatment had to wait an average of 81 days.
Dr Nihara Cross, a clinical psychologist, said, “It is difficult to know who is receiving effective treatment and how much treatment availability has improved from these statistics alone. However, the statistics clearly show that treatment is urgently needed for young people.“(Source: Yonhap News).
Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands give me delight. Your statutes are always righteous; give me understanding that I may live.(Psalms 119:143-144)
God, may You grant health to the children and young people in the UK, who are asking for help to be able to cope with life issues during this pandemic period. May the churches be aware of the suffering of the young people, and reach out to them with the love of Christ and the Gospel so that their thirsty souls will be quenched. May You bless the young people in the UK, so that they will discover the unshakable joy and delight in Your commands and experience healing, and may they share the truth with others around them.
Prayer 24·365
prayer@prayer24365.org
