Access to services related to adolescent mental health

NHS England has reported increased referrals to adolescent mental health services since 2017. However, previous research has shown that young people from deprived or ethnic minority groups are less likely to be seen in specialist mental health services such as Childrens and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). These studies were not able to identify whether these differences in access to mental health services were due to differences in mental health needs in deprived and ethnic minority groups, or due to barriers to receiving support from mental health services such as discrimination. Research to understand differences in accessibility to mental health care support in deprived and minoritized groups is needed to inform approaches to make access to mental health services more equitable.

Adolescent mental health problems may present with typical symptoms of anxiety or depression, but can also manifest in more diverse ways, such as through physical symptoms. Adolescents may also face barriers to reporting mental health problems, such as feelings of stigma or lack of trust in healthcare providers. If mental ill-health presents or is reported differently across different groups, it could lead to inequalities in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. Research is needed to better understand how mental health problems may manifest differently in deprived and ethnic minority groups, to inform approaches that promote more equitable detection of mental illness, and subsequent access to mental health support.