Podcast Summary
Investigative journalism impact: Investigative journalism can significantly impact society by raising awareness about important social issues and advocating for change through in-depth reporting and data analysis.
Investigative journalism can make a significant impact on raising awareness about important social issues, as demonstrated by Justine Smith's investigation into the crisis in CAM's children's and adolescent mental health services. Smith, a freelance journalist who primarily writes for The House Magazine, was inspired to investigate this issue after adopting three children with early life traumas and witnessing the struggles faced by other families. She FOI'd 70 providers to gather data on the severity and scope of the problem. Before this investigation, Smith was a news and feature reporter on the Nationals, but taking care of her children took a toll on her time and energy. Despite the challenges, she's glad to have a platform to give a voice to families who may not have one. This investigation serves as a reminder of the importance of investigative journalism in bringing attention to critical social issues and advocating for change.
Children's mental health services in UK: Waiting times for mental health services for children in the UK vary significantly, with some children waiting as little as 10 days and others waiting up to 142 weeks for their first appointment. One-third of children who were referred for help were turned away or redirected, leaving them without treatment.
The mental health services for children in the UK are in a dire state, leading to significant waiting times and unequal access based on location. The speaker, who went through this process with her own children, made 70 Freedom of Information requests to gather data on waiting times, waiting lists, and treatment durations in various regions across the UK. The findings were alarming, with waiting times for a first appointment varying from just 10 days in one area to 142 weeks in another. Additionally, one-third of children who were referred for help were turned away or redirected, meaning they did not receive any treatment. This postcode lottery system is unacceptable and can have devastating impacts on children's education, social lives, and overall future prospects.
Mental Health Crisis in UK: Long-term neglect and underfunding worsened by pandemic led to mental health crisis. Insufficient thresholds for intervention, lack of resources, societal stigma, and pandemic impact are root causes. Urgent investment of £1B needed to address crisis.
The current mental health crisis in the UK is a result of long-term neglect and underfunding, which has been exacerbated by an explosion in referrals due to the COVID-19 pandemic and increased awareness of mental health conditions. Shocking examples were shared of young people in need of urgent help being denied it due to insufficient thresholds for intervention. Anne Longfield, the former children's commissioner, confirmed these concerns, stating that she hears such stories frequently. Referrals for neurodevelopmental conditions have seen a significant increase, with new referrals up by 216% in just 3 years. Despite the government's claims of increased funding, the current investment falls short of the £1,000,000,000 needed to address the crisis. The root cause of this crisis is a complex interplay of factors, including societal stigma, lack of resources, and the impact of the pandemic. It is crucial that we prioritize mental health and invest in adequate resources to ensure that everyone in need receives the support they deserve.
Early intervention for ADHD: The lack of early years intervention for ADHD due to funding cuts during austerity can lead to more expensive late interventions and long-term consequences
The rise in ADHD cases in the UK could be linked to factors such as smoking and drinking during pregnancy, but the root cause might be the lack of early years intervention due to funding cuts during austerity. This means children are reaching crisis points before they receive help, leading to more expensive late interventions in the future. The parliament's in-house magazine where this journalist writes may not have significantly changed the access to politicians for interviews, as getting MPs to talk remains challenging. Despite their passion and dedication to the issue, they are reluctant to make promises or speak publicly. The Lords, however, are more open to discussions. The overall message is that early intervention is crucial for addressing mental health issues like ADHD, and the lack of funding for it can lead to long-term consequences and higher costs.
Autism diagnoses and treatments wait times in UK: Over 117,000 children in the UK are waiting for an autism diagnosis or treatment, with an average wait time of up to 7 years in some areas, and families lacking the political power to demand change
The issue of long waiting times for autism diagnoses and treatments for children in the UK is a significant problem that has been overlooked by politicians and policy makers. The families of these children, who are often too exhausted to engage with politics, lack the political power to demand change. Despite some progress in media coverage following a widely reported story, the situation has worsened, with over 117,000 children now waiting for an appointment, up from 90,000 just a year ago. The average wait time for a diagnosis can be up to 7 years in some areas, with children being turned away and having limited recourse if they are not accepted. This is unacceptable, and it's crucial that those in power recognize the urgency of this issue and take action to address it. The long-term impact on these children's lives and development is at stake.
Autism Diagnosis Accessibility: Many families, particularly those facing greater challenges, struggle to obtain autism diagnoses due to lack of resources and capacity to advocate, highlighting the need for more accessible and equitable diagnostic services.
Not every family has the resources or capacity to advocate for their children with autism who are turned away from diagnostic services. Justine Smith shared her personal experience of having to fight to get her son diagnosed, but she acknowledged that many families face greater challenges, such as being single parents with multiple jobs or dealing with mental health issues. These families may not have the time or energy to push for their children's diagnoses and receive the necessary support. Smith has documented many such stories and encourages regional journalists to look into the situation in their areas. She is open to sharing her data and can be found on LinkedIn. This issue underscores the importance of advocacy and resources for families dealing with autism diagnoses and the need for more accessible and equitable diagnostic services.