Children in poorest areas of Berkshire suffer mental health problems at higher rates - report
Children from households in the poorest areas of West Berkshire, Reading and Wokingham are four times more likely to experience severe mental health problems than those from the richest areas.
The latest strategy report to the Health and Wellbeing Board, which defines the area as Berkshire West, said that inequities in the rates of mental illness observed across ethnicities and sexual orientations of children and young people also warrant urgent attention.
“As stated, we know that mental health conditions that start at a young age often persist into later life and limit opportunities to thrive in both education and in the job market,” the report stated.
“Closing the gap in children’s and young people’s mental health and wellbeing in Reading, West Berkshire and Wokingham will therefore be key to ensuring all have the best chance of making the most of the opportunities available to them and fulfilling their potential.
“We want to strengthen existing partnerships, increase collective action, coordinate the management of common resources, share data and best practices and stimulate innovation at the local level.”
You can find more help and advice from the following organisations:
Time to Talk: www.t2twb.org or call (01635) 760331. You can also find help and advice on the charity’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (all @t2twb) or by emailing hello@t2twb.org
You can visit www.recoveryinmind.org and find a number of resources to help you look after your mental health.
Eight Bells for Mental Health: www.eightbellsnewbury.co.uk – call 07387 962220 – email coordinator@eightbellsnewbury.co.uk
Talking Therapies – www.talkingtherapies.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk – call 0300 365 2000
Mental Health Crisis Team – call if you need urgent help, but it’s not an emergency 0300 365 0300 or 0300 365 9999
Sane Line – www.sane.org.uk – call 0300 304 7000
The Samaritans: www.samaritans.org – call 116 123 – email jo@samaritans.org
Childline: www.childline.org.uk – 0800 1111
Mind: www.mind.org.uk – 0300 123 3393 or text 86463
