Review of mental health services for children and young people

Following the anouncement of the Government's long term Children's Plan on Tuesday, the Children's Secretary Ed Balls and Health Secretary Alan Johnson yesterday outlined their plans for a review of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and called for more vigilance in spotting the distress signals in boys who may have underlying mental health problems.

The review is aimed at ensuring that the educational and emotional needs of children and young people with mental health problems, or at risk of developing them, are being met.

The external review of CAMHS will be led by Jo Davidson, Chief Officer at Gloucestershire County Council and current chair of the 0-7 Group of the Children's Plan. She will draw on advice from experts in the field of child and adolescent mental health services.

Around one in ten children and young people will experience behavioural, emotional and mental health problems at some point in their lives, with twice as many boys - aged 5 to 10 years - diagnosed with a mental health disorder compared to girls.

Children, Schools and Families Secretary Ed Balls said: "The review will look closely at how mainstream services, like schools and nurseries can play a more effective role in promoting the emotional health and wellbeing of our children - to prevent mental health problems before they arise."