The poster illustrates findings from an evaluation of a youth-specific mental health service that formed part of a broader project on youth mental health

Brimblecombe, Nicola

LSE Research Online

Youth Mental Health Services Nicola Brimblecombe, Martin Knapp, Vittoria Ardino, Steve Crane, Sara Evans-Lacko, David Fowler,  Abi Harris,  Joanne Hodgekins, Valentina Iemmi,  Derek King,  Henrietta Mbeah-Banks, Silvia Murguia, Tom Snell, Jon Wilson  Background The majority of mental illnesses start during adolescence and persist into adulthood. They are associated with short and long-term health problems and negative social, educational and economic outcomes for the young people themselves and for their family and carers, with financial costs to health and other services.   Many young people find current services inappropriate to their mental health needs or fall though the gaps in transition from children’s to adults’ services. Youth-specific services are a potential solution but little is known about outcomes and any associated cost savings.  Methods We used data from two UK nationally representative epidemiological surveys to explore access to services, outcomes and costs for the 16 to 25 age group.   We evaluated outcomes and costs for a  UK youth-specific (aged 16 to 25) mental health services, using a before-and-after comparison of differences in mental health, employment status and service use. Potential cost savings were applied to any differences.    Results The treatment gap in the UK is wider for adolescents and young adults than it is for other age groups: only about a half of the young people aged 16-25 with mental health problems were receiving mental health services.    Young people with mental health problems were more likely not to be in employment, education or training, in receipt of welfare benefits and in contact with criminal justice services compared to similar young people without disorders.    Results from the youth mental health service show improvements in mental health and employment and reduced service use for the young people aged 16 to 25 at risk of severe mental illness who received two years’ treatment, with associated cost savings in the short-term and implications for savings in the longer term. t and longer term.   Conclusion Unidentified and untreated mental illness at this age has long term negative consequences and is financially costly.  Youth-specific services have the potential to address the consequences of mental illness in young people and the service treatment gap, with associated cost savings   Project funded by NHS Confederation.  Comic funded by LSE Social Care Evidence in Practice Amina ‘Amina’ is based on data from the evaluation of  the youth-specific mental health service . Her story illustrates some of the problems that the young people entering this service had and some of the outcomes of two years’ treatment with this service     

Youth mental health services

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

LSE Research Online