AQA GCSE · Question 01.6 · Active Citizenship

SOURCE A:
Children and Young People's Mental Health

The emotional health and wellbeing of children and young people is just as important as their physical health and wellbeing. Research carried out by the National Children's Bureau in 2019 found that extreme pressure to achieve at school and the effects of social media harm the mental health of children and young people.

According to Young Minds:

• 1 in 8 children and young people aged 5 – 19 have a diagnosable mental health condition
• emotional disorders are the most common type of disorder experienced by 5 – 19 year-olds
• 75% of all mental health problems are established by the time someone is 24
• 75% of young people who are experiencing mental health problems are not receiving treatment.

Significant improvements to mental health services for children and young people are needed.

Most schools have some support in place to help develop emotional wellbeing among their students. However, spending cuts by local councils on children's mental health services has meant this support was mostly being paid for from the schools' own budgets. Only a third of the support was paid for by organisations other than the school.

QUESTION:
Examine the actions that different groups can take to improve mental health services for children and young people.

In your response you should refer to Source A and examples from your own knowledge.