Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to (1) monitor and (2) treat the impact of the lockdown on children's mental health.

The Government and NHS England recognise that the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak are significant and are working closely with mental health trusts to ensure those who need them, including children, have access to National Health Service mental health services. NHS mental health services have remained open for business throughout this time, including delivering support digitally and over the phone where possible.

We have also issued guidance for parents and carers on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 outbreak, and we have provided £5 million of additional funding for mental health charities to support adults and children.

NHS England also asked mental health trusts to review advice lines to ensure 24 hours a day, seven days a week advice is available to everyone, including children and young people, through a single point of access.