The latest in our series of reports with Imperial College London's Institute of Global Health Innovation focuses on the mental health of children aged 13 and under.
The report warns that younger children are too often grouped together with older teenagers in mental health policy and services, despite facing different pressures and seeking help in different ways.
Drawing on insights from children gathered through MHI's Middle Years Project, alongside analysis of how under-13s use our 24/7 crisis text support service, Shout, the report found that younger children are not simply occasional users of digital support. Many return repeatedly, including when experiencing self-harm or suicidal thoughts. Among younger Shout users surveyed, 40% said they did not have a friend, family member or trusted adult they could talk to, and 51% said they wanted to speak to someone who did not know them.
The report also puts forward key recommendations for government, schools, services and digital providers on how to support this age group.
