Young people with mental health problems (FOI)

Request

A

How many children and young people from 2014 to 2016 are known to have a mental health problem in Jersey?

B

How many of these children and young people are accessing support for a mental health problem?

C

How many children have committed suicide in 2015 and 2016?

Response

A to C

Population based needs assessment in other jurisdictions generally indicates a prevalence rate for all diagnosable mental health disorders of around 10% of the 0 to16 aged population. The Health and Social Services Department does not hold data on the number of children and young people presenting to primary care, social care, youth or education services with mental health problems. 

In 2016, up to 30 September, the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) received 350 referrals. 482 referrals were received in 2015. Evidence from other areas suggests that only a proportion of those who could benefit from specialist mental health services are referred and able to access this support. 

However, it should be recognised that children and young people may present with a range of emotional and behavioural difficulties and not all of these would meet the criteria for a formal mental health disorder nor be appropriate for referral to a service such as Specialist CAMHS. In these circumstances it is more appropriate for these children and young people to receive support from services such as school based counsellors and Emotional and Learning Support Assistants or the Youth Enquiry Service (YES) youth counselling project. 

There were fewer than five child (under 18) suicides in 2015 and 2016. Further detail will not be provided as the information is exempt under Article 26 (b) of the Freedom of Information Law.

Exemptions applied

Article 26 - Information supplied in confidence 

Information is absolutely exempt information if – 

(a) it was obtained by the scheduled public authority from another person (including another public authority); and 

(b) the disclosure of the information to the public by the scheduled public authority holding it would constitute a breach of confidence actionable by that or any other person.