Children are at risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of living through the Covid-19 pandemic, councillors have been told. The number of young people across Salford suffering from mental health problems increased from a ratio of one in nine to one in six during the global coronavirus crisis.
The extent of the problem was laid bare at the city's health and social care scrutiny panel, where there was an update on the Thrive Plan, set up to improve the emotional health and wellbeing of youngsters. The report said that children living through Covid-19 "should be considered at elevated risk of developing PTSD".
Research has shown there has been an increase in depressive and anxious symptoms as a result of the pandemic caused by social isolation, anxiety about illness, uncertainty about the future and strained family relationships, it said. The report, presented by Debbie Blackburn, assistant director of public health nursing and wellbeing and children's services commissioning, said there had been a surge in demand for services with more acute and complex needs among young people who have been either referred to mental health services or sought to access them.
It goes on: "The pandemic has continued to have a significant and ongoing impact on our residents, and for many children and young people and families in Salford has caused tremendous disruption to everyone's lives and has heightened distress and anxieties and resulted in increased mental health needs." The Thrive team supported 465 children and young people in its first year from October 2020.
Mental health support teams launched in 2020 had now been embedded in 53 schools across the city and there was now "enhanced bereavement support". One of the most recent developments is an accident and emergency follow-up pilot - launched a year ago - which provides advice and support for school mental health leaders when a young person is referred to A&E.
Ms Blackburn said the Thrive plan aims to demonstrate progress over a five-year period for mental health, and take into account the Covid-19 impact, recovery and restoration plans, and map out ways to further improve children and young people's mental health. Key challenges were lockdown restrictions, remote working and the shift to digital working, the reintroduction of face-to-face services and issues experienced by young people over privacy, family issues and technology.
Meanwhile, Salford is developing a Greater Manchester Crisis Care Pilot called "Parachute team" which includes, advice and support for professionals as well as early intervention and support for young people and families or carers when they may be "tipping into crisis or have presented at A&E".
Suicide prevention work is being carried out now, following a break during the pandemic. The two-day courses teach participants to recognise when someone may have suicidal thoughts and work with them to create a plan to keep them safe.
After hearing the report, Coun John Warmisham described the work being done to help young people in the city as "amazing". "As the governor of a school myself, I see this work in action," he said. "The work being doing with looked after children and care leavers has been needed for years."
But he also asked about waiting times for referrals and access to treatment for people needing mental health care. Ms Blackburn replied: "We are ahead of the game compared to national standards and Greater Manchester."
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