Childhood mental illness is becomming a growing problem throughout the world. In the past seven year, England has seen a rise in the number of in patient beds but they are now becomming overpopulated. This is leaving children with only teo alternatives; either go into an adult treatment center or not get treatment at all. "The Royal College of Psychiatrists found the number of in-patient beds in England had risen from 844 to 1,128." Along with the increase in beds provided for the patients, the number of facilities has also increased from 72 to 91 in the past seven years.
The number of beds are being unequally distributed to the south eastern part of London, leaving other regions without the proper support for their patients. Even with this increase, "four regions were still well below the recommended minimum of 20 beds per million people". "It means 75 of the 113 beds set aside for eating disorders now are confined to four units in London." Quality care is now the biggest problem that program directors are facing. The programs need to see faster changes but the process is starting of slowly. I would hope that educating the community about mental illness would bring in more money and support for these patients.
The program is giving extra support and help to the children (under the age of 16) that are being housed in adult mental health facilities. Their goal: "We are on track on our commitment to ensure that no child under 16 will be treated on an adult psychiatric ward by November 2008." I decided to write about this topic sice mental health is a global problem but it is now just being recognized as a public health issue.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7119500.stm
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