Most GPs believe eating disorder services for children and young people are failing
Over half (60%) of them say it is now very difficult for even dangerously ill young patients to access the specialist treatment and care they need to get well, according to a new survey conducted by youth mental health charity stem4.
While NHS child and adolescent eating disorder services are generally rated as easier of access than other mental health services, demand for treatment is now so great that services are seen to be ‘in crisis’, or as one GP said, ‘We are fighting a losing battle.’
The new survey of more than 1,000 GPs by youth mental health charity stem4, which has been tracking GPs’ views of NHS mental health services for the past six years, finds that six in ten (60%) GPs now fear that their young patients will come to harm through lack of access to the treatment from NHS child and adolescent eating disorder services (whether inpatient services or community eating disorder teams).
stem4’s Worth Warrior app helps young people with body image and early eating difficulties
To help young people struggling to access treatment, youth mental health charity stem4, with a grant from the NIHR, has created the Worth Warrior app. It is a free, evidence-based, mobile phone app to help young people overcome issues of negative body image, low self-worth, and related early-stage eating difficulties or eating disorders.
The Worth Warrior app, recommended for ages 12 and above, has been developed by Consultant Clinical Psychologist Dr. Nihara Krause, CEO and founder of youth mental health charity stem4, in collaboration with young people and clinician feedback. Using principles of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E), Worth Warrior provides a range of helpful activities and information, based on the notion that eating and body-related issues can be helped through learning to challenge and change negative thoughts, emotions, and behaviours towards body image, and improve underlying low self-worth.
Statement from Dr Nihara Krause, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, and CEO and founder of stem4:
‘It is truly shocking to learn from this survey of GPs’ their experiences of dealing with young patients with eating disorder and body image difficulties. It is equally disturbing that so many vulnerable young people in desperate need of urgent help are being forced to wait for so long, or are refused unable to access suitable care.
We know that young people with complex mental illness such as eating disorders will experience deterioration as they wait longer for treatment. With young people there is often a critical window for treatment. Delay in treatment increases risk, and you can expect problems in application to study or work, relationship issues, and other emerging co-morbid mental health issues.’
Want to read more?
Read the full results in the press release here.