A fifth of children are unhappy about their mental health, research by Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza suggested. More than half a million children completed her Big Ask survey - the largest survey of children of its kind.
Barnardo’s co-CEO (interim) Lynn Perry said: "It’s alarming, but sadly not surprising, that so many children and young people are unhappy with their mental health.
“The pandemic and the lockdowns have been hugely traumatic for young people - separation from friends, anxiety about the virus and financial pressures at home have taken a serious toll on their mental health and wellbeing. But it is good to see that so many of them have set having good mental health as a goal for the future. As a society we must all do what we can to help them achieve that goal.
“As a response to the concerns raised by a record number of children and young people in the survey, we are also pleased to see the Children’s Commissioner calling for an expansion of family hubs across England – we know these can provide vital support to struggling families and I hope the Government will commit to increased investment in early intervention through the Spending Review.
“Barnardo’s also commends the report’s recommendation for a focus on the need for stability in the care system alongside measures to improve children in care’s access to mental health support and better in‑school help. I also hope the Government picks up the baton to produce an offline safety paper, which outlines measures to improve the safety of children in public spaces and improve the response to those who are the victims of violent and sexual crimes.
“But these aren’t matters that the Government can resolve simply on its own. Agencies like schools, charities, the health system and so on, must all work together to put this generation of children at the centre of the UK’s recovery and we at Barnardo’s look forward to working with the Children’s Commissioner and others on these issues.”