Declares that the Petitioners believe that the latest figures show hospital admissions for eating disorders have risen by 16% from last year to 2,290; further that more than half of those admitted to hospital were children or teenagers; and further that eating disorders have the highest mortality rates of any mental illness, at around 20%.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to increase understanding and monetary resources available for those with eating disorders.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Tessa Munt, Official Report, 27 February 2014; Vol. 576, c. 5P.]
[P001322]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Health:
In the 12 months to October 2013, hospitals dealt with 2,560 eating disorder admissions, 8% more than in the previous 12 months (2,370 admissions).
In the 12 months to October 2013 for all hospital admissions for an eating disorder: the most common age for female admissions was 15-years-old (300 out of 2,320) and for males this was 13-years-old (50 out of 240). In the same period, the biggest increase in the number of admissions was for 15 to 19-year-olds. Source: Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) 30 January 2014 http://www.hscic.gov.uk//pubs/ hesapr130ct13.
We are investing £54 million into improving access to mental health treatments for children and young people, through the Children and Young People’s IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Services) programme. CYP IAPT provides training in a number of psychological therapies including Systemic Family Therapy and Interpersonal Psychotherapy. These therapies support families and address some of the major mental health problems of adolescence including eating disorders.
The Department of Health is funding the development of interactive e-learning programmes via an ePortal, intended for professionals and this will be launched on 25 March. It will extend the skills and knowledge of NHS clinicians, staff working in universal settings, such as teachers, social workers, and counsellors and supervisors working in a range of educational and youth settings. This will also explore whether e-therapy options can be delivered to children and young people, such as computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). This will include support for children and young people with eating disorders.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists has published a factsheet on eating disorders entitled Mental Health and Growing Up. The factsheet discusses the causes of eating disorders and how to recognise them, as well as giving advice on how to cope with a child who has an eating disorder. Beat, a UK charity for people with eating disorders and their families, provides helplines for adults and young people, online support and a UK-wide network of self-help groups to help people beat their eating disorder.