Dramatic rise in mental health support for young children in West Yorkshire

Figures that we've uncovered through a freedom of information request (FOI) show in Bradford there were 729 children aged under 11 receiving mental health treatment in 2019.

This year, up until the end of October, there were 2433 children, meaning in four years it's more than doubled.

There was a jump across Kirklees, Wakefield and Calderdale, which come under the South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, with 1265 children under 11 receiving mental health support in 2019, that's risen to 2202 this year, up until the 21 October.

In Leeds, the figure has risen in four years, however they couldn't provide us with the data for 2022 or 2023. They provided us with the figures for children aged 11 and under; in 2018 there were 1374 children receiving mental health support and by 2021 that figure rose to 2421.

Paddy is now 18, he's a young mind activist, which is a mental health charity for children, he tells us he's been struggling with his mental health since he was 13.

Reacting to the figures in Bradford he said: "It doesn't surprise me, it's has probably more than doubled because there's a lot of people who aren't reaching out".

Talking about why the figures could have risen so dramatically, he said: "Social media has had an affect on so many different things, body image, seeing edited photos. You think you have to live up to those standards, or there's a lot of bullying and nasty comments on social media".

If you, or someone you know is suffering with their mental health, or experiencing suicidal thoughts, you can speak to your GP. If someone's life is in danger - call 999 immediately.

You can also find help and advice from these services:

Hub of Hope - https://hubofhope.co.uk

Samaritans – Call 116123 - https://www.samaritans.org

Mind - 0300 123 3393 - https://www.mind.org.uk