IoM child Mental health care demand surges 83% in two years

Around one in 10 children and young people on the Island are currently receiving or waiting for mental health treatment from Manx Care. 

A spokesman said those awaiting assessment or treatment within the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) has increased by 83% in the last two years.

The current caseload for the service stands at 1,370 young people.

Manx Care states the figures are 'significantly higher' than comparative figures in the UK, due to only having one service in place and therefore longer waiting lists.

Ross Bailey, Head of Integrated Mental Health Services, said: "At the moment, we’re establishing a comprehensive picture of the current system of services for children and young people’s mental health across the Isle of Man, and implementing the Thrive Framework where possible.

‘The Isle of Man does not currently have a national strategy for this, and so we’re contributing to the development and implementation of a new Mental Health and Wellbeing strategy, founded upon the principles of integration, early intervention and recovery, which is really important for the reduction of waiting lists and making sure people get the right help at the right time".