Children’s Mental Health
Healthy People
Mental Health
Bullying Prevention
School Stress
Emotional Literacy
Parental Support
Childrens Social Emotional and Mental Health
Depression
Anxiety
Self-harm
Introduction
The case for action is compelling. Mental illness has a human and social cost on peoples’ lives. Targeted investment in prevention, including early intervention and mental health promotion, can reduce the burden of mental health problems and inequality. Additionally, from an economic perspective investment in prevention is valuable with savings accruing directly in relation to health-related services and also in wider areas outside of health.
Making mental health everyone’s business is essential, as we know that to prevent or reduce mental health problems organisations need to work together and take whole-system and place-based approaches.
Statistics indicate that 1 in 6 children aged 6 to 16 have a probable mental health problem and it is estimated that half of all adult mental health problems have been established by the age of 14.
Why is it important to Population Health?
A population health approach is important to help reduce health inequalities. Health inequalities are ultimately about differences in the status of people’s health, but the term is also commonly used to refer to differences in the care that people receive and the opportunities that they have to lead healthy lives, both of which can contribute to their health status.
There is evidence to demonstrate that children and young people who face the most inequalities are at increased risk of developing mental ill health. There are a range of factors that influence this which are largely outside of the direct control of the child.
The Derbyshire Population Health Approach
The Derbyshire Population Health Approach focuses on prevention, population health, evidence-informed practices, causes, and collaboration. It emphasises proactive measures to prevent health issues, tailors interventions to specific populations, incorporates evidence-informed practices, addresses underlying causes, and promotes collaboration for effective action.
When considering the topic of children’s mental health within The Derbyshire Population Health Approach:
• Prevention
A preventative approach is vital to reduce the number of people who may develop mental ill health, to support people to recover from mental ill health and to manage long term mental ill health. The early years and the formative adolescent years are crucial for young people to develop into emotionally well adults.
Preventative measures include promoting positive mental wellbeing, reducing stigma associated with mental health conditions to change the culture and early identification of mental health issues. These are delivered through awareness raising campaigns, training and upskilling people to play a proactive and supportive role and are targeted at settings such as schools and with the education workforce.
Preventative strategies include promoting supportive family and community environments, early screening for mental health conditions and providing accessible educational resources. Building awareness and resilience skills in children, parents and educators is key to prevention.
• Population
Mental health does affect everyone. However, some groups of people and some people who experience certain circumstances or events may be at higher risk of mental ill health. This could include children in care, those with special educational needs and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Utilising data and insight to understand the specific mental health needs of different groups within Derbyshire’s children and young people population is crucial.
Tailoring preventative approaches and mental health services to the diverse needs of children, considering factors such as age, developmental stage and cultural background, is essential.
• Evidence
There is an ever-expanding evidence-base related to mental health. Longer term research highlights some embedded trends and new research helps us understand changes to our population. There are specific national strategies, clinical guidelines and reviews which aligned to local intelligence can help to employ evidence-based approaches and interventions for the treatment and support of mental health conditions.
Utilising evidence-informed practices for the assessment, treatment, and support of mental health conditions in children is crucial. This includes following clinical guidelines and integrating the latest research findings into care and support plans.
• Causes
Factors influencing adult mental health conditions include genetics, environmental stressors, socio-economic factors, family dynamics and traumatic experiences such as abuse or neglect.
There are proven links between factors such as deprivation, inadequate housing, traumatic experiences, illness and social isolation. Addressing the causes of the causes is of paramount importance.
A comprehensive approach that addresses these determinants is necessary for effective prevention, management and support.
In the context of Children’s Mental Health, integrating trauma-informed practices is essential for recognising and addressing the specific causes/impacts of trauma on children’s development and wellbeing. This approach ensures that environments, from schools to healthcare settings, are equipped to identify and respond to the signs of trauma in children, fostering a sense of safety, empowerment, and healing. Emphasising trauma-informed care acknowledges the critical role traumatic experiences play in shaping children’s mental health and underscores the importance of creating supportive, understanding environments that aid in their recovery and resilience.
• Collaboration
Collaboration amongst healthcare providers, mental health specialists, social services, schools and community clubs and organisations is essential for a holistic approach to mental health care. Parents, carers and families play a key role in providing support. This collaboration helps to enable prevention of mental ill health and access to holistic support and treatment for children and young people with mental health conditions.
Joined Up Care Derbyshire is firmly founded on insight and collaboration between a wide range of local partners, including the voice of young people, lived experience and coproduction.
Latest Derbyshire Data
Derbyshire Quilt
Prevalence Maps of Derbyshire
The maps below illustrate Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs) and Middle Super Output Areas (MSOAs) for Derbyshire. LSOAs and MSOAs are geographical divisions used for statistical purposes, allowing for more detailed analysis of local data. In these maps, you can explore various health indicators and data for Derbyshire, providing valuable insights into the area’s health and wellbeing.