Burnout fears for children’s mental health workers amid increasing demand

Every chair and chief executive of NHS mental health trusts that responded to a survey said demand for young people’s mental health support has increased over the last six months.

Four out of five said demand is increasing "significantly" with the remainder reporting a "moderate" increase. 

• Analysis: Progress on child mental health

• Special report: Children's mental health

• Leadership: How to beat burnout

The impact of this surge in demand is impacting on the emotional wellbeing of mental health professionals, according to the survey.

More than eight out of 10 (83 per cent) of trust leaders are concerned about current levels of stress and burnout across their children and young people’s workforce. More than a third (37 per cent) are "extremely" concerned.

The impact of the Covid-19 crisis is the chief factor in the surge in demand, cited by 83 per cent of trust leaders.

Another challenge is increasingly complex mental health problems presented by young people. The mental health needs of children and young people are “more acute and complex than in the past”, according to 91 per cent of trust chairs and chief executives.

A lack of inpatient mental health beds for children and young people is also cited as a factor in the strain on services - 61 per cent of trust leaders warn there are not enough beds in their local area.

Increasing waiting times is a major challenge facing trusts. This is especially the case for those waiting for support to tackle eating disorders, with trusts reporting a 30 per cent increase in referrals for children and young people with this issue in the last three month.

Waiting lists for support for this group of young people have “deteriorated”, according to NHS Providers, which has carried out the survey.

The vats majority of trust leaders (84 per cent) said young people are having to wait longer for help compared to six months ago, NHS Providers added.

Meanwhile, more than seven out of 10 are concerned that their trust does not have the right number, quality or mix of staff to support the mental health needs of children and young people.

A similar proportion (78 per cent) of trust leaders are "extremely" or "moderately" concerned about their organisation’s ability to meet the level of demand within the next 12 to 18 months.

The survey was carried out earlier this month and involved leaders from more than half of NHS trusts that support children and young people’s mental health.

Earlier this month, children’s charity Barnardo’s warned that the Covid-19 pandemic could leave a lasting “legacy of anxiety and poor mental health” among young people.