The most recent data from the national survey says that in Britain, one in 10 children and teenagers (ages 5 to 16 years old), suffer from mental health disorders. Hence, it totaled to 6% of children have a conduct disorder.
According to Andy Bell, Deputy Chief Executive at the Centre for Mental Health, a research charity that is part of this year's Guardian and Observer Christmas appeal, "We know from research that these children go on to have the poorest life chances of any group of young people." At an estimated 4% suffer from emotional disorder like anxiety and depression, 2% has hyperkinetic disorder which is similar to ADHD, and 1% has disorders like autism, eating disorders and selective mutism.
However, according to experts, the lack of assessment of mental health among children can be attributed to the lack of reliable time series and concrete data. Bell says that the basis of today's assumptions was based on old data.
In a mental health charity, Young Minds, a piece says that children and young people's lives changed drastically since 2004. According to mental health coalition coordinator Paula Lavis, better data is needed since 10 years is a wide span of time for changes to happen that have impact on the lives of children.
National surveys published in 2008 and 2011, reveal that 5 to 15 years old children who have psychiatric disorders were three times more likely to develop psychiatric disorders when they reach adulthood. In UK, 8% to 34% of children have been bullied either in school or in social media. Also, pediatricians report an alarming rise in children who do self-inflicted harm especially among girls.
The mental health of young people is threatened because of the digital age. Children and teenagers are more vulnerable to false information and cyber-bullying. Some sites even promote self-inflicting of pain and anorexia.
Also, suicide rates among young people are on the rise. In fact, a NSPCC report in 2013 says that there is an 18% increase in ChildLine counseling sessions for suicide for the last two years. Mental health should be given priority by the government by establishing tangible counseling centers especially for children.
