Actual hospital admissions of 15- to 19-year-olds from 2002-05 - 109 Expected hospital admissions of 15- to 19-year-olds from 2002-05 - 69

Mental health admissions to hospital tend to be high in areas that experience a high level of transcience and are ethnically diverse. The London Borough of Hackney fits both these categories. Young people "moving through" tend to live in small flats above shops, in boarding houses or council flats. With education and employment prospects poor, a downward spiral is common, involving poor diet, exercise and learning. Family networks tend to be weak, meaning isolation among the young tends to be common. Drug and alcohol abuse is also strongly linked with these backgrounds.