One in ten children is suffering mental health problems

One in ten children under the age of 15 is suffering from mental illness and the prevalence of mental disorders is on the increase, according to a report published yesterday by the British Medical Association.

While many severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, do not present themselves until late adolescence, children can suffer from a range of emotional disorders such as anxieties, phobias and obsessive disorders. Teenagers also have higher rates of suicidal depression than adults.

Many children are not receiving care because their symptoms - including troubled sleeping, temper tantrums, and obsessive behaviour - are being confused with growing pains.

Like many health problems, rates of mental health disorders are higher in deprived areas, the report said. Children in care, the offspring of asylum-seekers and those who have witnessed domestic violence are also at a higher risk.

Dr Andrew Thomson, a Scottish member of the BMA's board of science, said Scotland's Mental Health Bill of 2003 has "led the way" in progressive mental care legislation. But he cautioned: "While policy has improved, the barriers to young people using mental health services still exist and must be tackled.

"Scotland has some of the most poverty-stricken communities in the UK. It is vital extra resources are invested to target young people in these communities as part of the Executive's drive to improve the health of Scots living in deprivation."

Anne Clarke, of Headsup Scotland, an Executive-funded task force on children's mental health, said a holistic approach was needed to tackle the issue.

"Mental health for children requires strong families and networks and feelings of belonging in school," she said.

"It includes good nutrition, exercise and sleep. In this way, it's like all health improvements: it requires us to address many elements of society."

The BMA's report also advised parents that emotional disorders, such as depression, phobias and eating problems were more prevalent among girls, while boys were more likely to suffer from conduct disorders, such as severe temper tantrums.

The report also highlighted a major increase in alcohol abuse by young people and warned this may exacerbate mental health problems.

Linda Dunion, the campaign director at SeeMe, which works to combat mental health stigmas in Scotland, said:

"Young people's level of awareness about mental health problems and how they are treated is sometimes very poor.

"Often, they won't even understand what is happening to them when they are suffering. Adults often don't know what they are seeing; they are sometimes at a loss as to what to do."

The report's recommendations include reducing risk factors for mental health problems, flexible services that suit a child's age and lifestyle, and tackling the stigma of mental illness.