NHS hires 4,500 more kids’ mental health workers amid soaring demand

CHILDREN’S mental health clinics have boosted staff numbers by 40 per cent during the pandemic as they face record demand.

Despite the NHS workforce crisis, the number of medics in kids’ mental health shot up by 4,500 between March 2019 and March 2022.

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The number of staff in the specialist clinics increased from 11,036 to 15,486.

A record 650,000 children applied for emotional help in England last year, up from 534,000 in 2019.

Claire Murdoch, NHS mental health director, said: “There has never been a more important time to work in children’s mental health.

“Demand for NHS services has skyrocketed over the last two years with the pandemic taking a significant toll on the nation’s wellbeing.

“Becoming a mental health nurse was one of the best decisions of my life and I would encourage anyone who is thinking about a career which can have a positive impact on people’s lives to join the NHS.”

The entire mental health workforce increased by 18,583 between 2019 and 2022 – but there are still 22,000 job vacancies.

Clinics are getting busier as both youngsters’ and adults’ mental health took a big hit during the Covid crisis.

Polling last year found rates of mental disorders in under-20s rose so that one in every six now has poor mental health.

Up to half of young people said their mental health has worsened since 2017.

Mark Radford, chief nurse at Health Education England, said: “It’s extremely important that the mental health workforce in England is growing. 

“Demand for services has risen and to provide safe, effective quality services we need the right support available at the right time and in the right place.”