Colleges are struggling to find ways to cope with increased demand for mental health support

Craig Thorley, IPPR senior research fellow on health, responding to survey findings from the Association of Colleges on the number of young people being referred to A&E by colleges because of mental health conditions, said:

“Like schools and universities, colleges are struggling to find ways to cope with increased demand for mental health support among students.

“IPPRs research has shown that the government must recognise the important role for colleges in early intervention in identifying and supporting young people with mental health problems.

“It must require the NHS to meaningfully involve schools, colleges and universities in decisions on how to organise mental health services locally, and ensure that there are clear routes into NHS provision for the most serious cases.

“Without this joined-up approach led by government, many young people’s mental health problems will go unnoticed and they won’t get the help they need.”

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Contact

Kieren Walters k.walters@ippr.org 07921 403651

Editor’s Notes:

1. IPPRs recent report ‘Education, education, mental health’ looked at mental health provision for young people in education: http://www.ippr.org/publications/education-education-mental-health

2. IPPR aims to influence policy in the present and reinvent progressive politics in the future, and is dedicated to the better country that Britain can be through progressive policy and politics. With nearly 60 staff across four offices throughout the UK, IPPR is Britain’s only national think tank with a truly national presence.

Our independent research is wide ranging, it covers the economy, work, skills, transport, democracy, the environment, education, energy, migration and healthcare among many other areas. ippr.org