50% rise in young people referred for eating disorder help in past 2 years
A further sharp increase is expected post-Covid
Last updated 23rd Jul 2021
The number of young people being referred for specialist help with eating disorders has risen by more than 50% in the past two years, with a further sharp increase expected post-Covid.
A report before Lincolnshire County Council’s health scrutiny committee shows an overall 51% increase in referrals to the Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) since 2018/19, with a 39% rise in the past year alone.
However, mental health bosses in the county say a new intensive home treatment team, set up following the closure of Lincoln’s Ash Villa in 2020, is making significant improvements to children’s wellbeing.
According to the report from Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, the number of CAMHS crisis referrals went from 1,043 in 2018/19, to 1,112 in 2019/20 and then 1,194 in 2020/21.
Of those, the number referred for eating disorders went from 73 to 90 and then jumped to 148 respectively.
The report outlines how nationally, it is expected there will be an average 30% increase in demand in the future.
The rise in eating disorder referrals to Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
LPFT says they haven't identified any specific themes or trends in relation to why young people are being referred.
"It is thought that this increase is due to an increased awareness and knowledge of eating disorders
"It means concerns for young people’s eating habits can be identified earlier.”
Councillors were told a new Crisis and Enhanced Treatment Team had successfully lowed the number of general mental health admissions into adolescent units.
It's gone down from 46 to 13.
Around 97% of children avoided admission into specialist units and were able to be supported in their home environment.
"Eating disorders thrive in isolation"
Zoe Burnett from Metheringham had an eating disorder.
"My biggest concern is it's much worse than the figures suggest.
"What about those people that are already on waiting lists trying to get access to valuable treatments? What about people who haven't been able to access treatment? What about those who've been left?"
She says the pandemic is making it harder for young people.
"The anxiety around lockdown after lockdown. The anxiety of going out into the big wide world. Will we have to wear masks? Will we be sent home from school? What's going on?
"There's so much anxiety for these young people."
"We have seen a huge increase in demand for our helpline"
UK eating disorder charityBeat says the impact of the pandemic and lockdown has seen a “massive impact” on people with eating disorders, and that “sadly it is not surprising” to see referrals for children and young people increasing.
Beat’s director of external affairs, Tom Quinn, says eating disorders are serious mental illnesses but recovery is possible.
“For those who already had an eating disorder their illness has worsened, more people have developed an eating disorder for the first time, and others who thought they had recovered from their eating disorder have relapsed.
"At its peak, demand was over 300% higher than pre-pandemic levels, with many talking about increased anxiety, isolation and lack of support as factors.
"Accessing help as soon as possible leads to the best chances of making a full recovery, and we encourage anybody struggling to get in touch with their GP for support.”
Where can you get help?
Anyone looking for support and advice can contact LPFT on 01522 421632 or get in touch with Beat through their support services here.