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Care leavers missing out on mental health support, study finds

1 min read Health Mental health Social Care Leaving care
Around two-thirds of care leavers with mental health problems are not receiving specialist support, a study by Barnardo's has found.

A study by the charity of 274 of its care leaver services cases found that 125 young people had mental health needs but 81 (65 per cent) were not receiving specialist support from a mental health service.

The study also found that one in four (69) care leavers had experienced a mental health crisis since leaving care.

Barnardo's chief executive Javed Khan is calling on the government to ensure that some of the £1.4bn in additional funding pledged to improve children's mental health is used to support care leavers.  

"Our research shows a shocking picture of care leavers in need with no access to suitable mental health support," Khan said.

"Young people who have been in care often experience poor mental health ranging from anxiety to serious problems following abuse or neglect.

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