Promoting equal access to adolescent mental health care

Promoting equal access to adolescent mental health care 21 st European Regional IAAH Conference 2018 Dr Ann Hagell Association for Young People’s Health, London @AYPHcharity @IAAHglobal #IAAHmoldova 18

Mental health is a huge issue for this age group but resources are very limited

Why are health inequalities important in adolescence? • Social inequalities can lead to health inequalities, and can ‘set in’ during adolescence • Health inequalities occur across the whole life course • BUT LESS attention looking at inequalities in young people • Widening inequalities amongst adolescents in highincome countries • Trends alarming for future population health • Majority of inequalities preventable

Low income is the most salient social disadvantage… • Young people are disproportionately represented in families with lower levels of income • 1 in 4 young people lived in households with less than 60% of UK’s median income

Low income is correlated with mental health problems

Other vulnerable groups • • • Children in state care Young carers Black and ethnic minority groups Young people with learning disabilities Lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transsexual young people

Young carers • Often hidden and do not receive support • Risk of missing out on education, social opportunities and carry emotional burden • 68% report being bullied at school • 1. 5 X more likely to have a special educational need or disability • 38% reported having a mental health problem

Black and ethnic minority groups

LGBT+ • 2 x more likely to have history of cigarette smoking • More likely to report recreational drug use • Sexual health inequalities – teenage pregnancy, sex education and cervical cancer screening

Ways to improve adolescent mental health inequalities Understand the needs of the local adolescent population (good data) Proactive support to marginalised groups Parenting support for parents of young people Helping schools and colleges to help Supporting growth of a strong charity sector Skilling up workforce Young people’s participation, engagement and co-production – youth friendly services

Youth-friendly health services – the importance of youth participation @AYPHcharity @IAAHglobal #IAAHmoldova 18

Main messages Mental health shows clear health inequalities even in countries with good access to health services Inequalities can be driven by deprivation, but also by life circumstances Health inequalities do not occur in silos and therefore should not be tackled in isolation There are things we can do – improving access, targeting services, and listening to young people

Key messages for parents about adolescent development @AYPHcharity @IAAHglobal #IAAHmoldova 18

Thank you! www. youngpeopleshealth. org. uk ann@youngpeopleshealth. org. uk @AYPHcharity