Young people’s mental health hits a ‘crunch point' in the pandemic

The London Assembly Health Committee has today set out a new three-stage plan for supporting young people’s mental health in the capital after the national reopening roadmap was announced.

The recommendation comes as over 300 children and young people wrote to the London Assembly to share their experiences throughout the pandemic so far. The Assembly says that young people need clear backing in the mayoral COVID-19 recovery to futureproof plans and support those most in need.

It is estimated that in London there are more than 800,000 children living in poverty, over 70,000 young carers, and at least 200,000 young people with some level of disability. The plan points out that those young Londoners should be explicitly supported.

With the announcement that schools are reopening this March, the London Assembly highlights that young people’s mental health is hitting a crunch point.

The plan calls on the Mayor, who has a statutory responsibility to address health inequalities, to help young people in COVID-19 recovery plans by consulting with them and make it easier for them to get help.

1. Consult: Put young people at the heart of COVID-19 recovery. Involve them in decision making and make sure their diverse views and varying needs are represented every step of the way.
2. Make help easier: The Mayor should use his strategic role to improve access to the right mental health support and services, and there should be targeted strategies to deliver this in his COVID-19 recovery plans.
3. No-one left behind: Many who have been hit hardest by the pandemic already had the poorest mental health. It is vital that they are not left behind in the recovery.

Chair of the London Assembly Health Committee, Dr Onkar Sahota AM, said:

“Young people’s mental health is at a crunch point in this pandemic. Over 300 young people shared their experiences with the London Assembly and they did not hold back. People were concerned about decisions being made without their input, felt out of control and did not think they could get help.

“Whilst primary responsibility for mental health services lies with the Government, there are real, concrete steps that the Mayor can take to help support young people during this time. That is why our plan has three clear principles to consult young people on what they need from London’s COVID-19 recovery, make getting help easier, and ensure that no-one is left behind. The Mayor can pave the way to make children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing a priority in London’s COVID-19 plans.

“By including young people at every stage of decision-making, London’s young people will know they have the Mayor’s support and the post-pandemic recovery will be futureproofed.”