Child mental health

We must work together to improve children's mental health - to put resources into early intervention and prevention, building resilience and ensuring our workforce is trained to spot the signs of mental ill health and equipped to refer and support children.

Role of paediatricians in supporting children and young people's mental health

There is considerable variation in how child mental health services are delivered across the UK.

Our position statement outlines the role of paediatricians in supporting children and young people’s mental health and makes key recommendations to ensure their mental health needs are met.

Our related news

News

RCPCH responds to new Ofsted reports regarding the impact of COVID-19 on children

10 November 2020

The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) has published the latest in a series of reports on the impact of the pandemic on children. The reports are based on their observations made during inspections of schools, early years settings and children's services durin...

News

RCPCH responds to BMA paper on the impact of COVID-19 on mental health

7 July 2020

Dr Karen Street, Assistant Officer for Mental Health and Wellbeing, responds to a new BMA report which considers the impact of COVID-19 on mental health.

Area of medicine

News

RCPCH comments on Government's guidance for reopening of schools

2 July 2020

The Government today released guidance for the full reopening of schools in England. Professor Russell Viner, President of the RCPCH, comments.

Reset, Restore, Recover

Our resources on child mental health

Why we have a mental health section - reflections by Dr Max Davie (2018)

What changes we want to see in mental health (2018)

NHS Long Term Plan and mental health - our submission to NHs England (2019)

Making mental health a priority - our joint position statement (2017)

State of Child Health - evidence on mental health (2020)

Child mental health sub-specialty - information

External resources on child mental health

We Can Talk - co-produced mental health training, advice and resources

MindEd - free online learning and advice

The Young People's Pocketbook for doctors

Doctor's pocketbook

Our summer intern, Papia (age 17) created a pocketbook to show healthcare professionals young people's expectations of how they wish their doctor’s consultations to be.

Print the pocketbook now

Chatterbox game on wellbeing

Based on the classic children's game, this game provides ‘Facts vs Myths’ surrounding the subject of mental health, which can enable a teacher/healthcare professional to facilitate a discussion regarding this issue

Use the chatterbox now

Emoji card game

This game, designed by Amina (aged 17) one of our Summer 2017 interns, enables a young person to pick the emoji cards that best represent how they are feeling, prompt them to discuss the topic and find out more information.