Urgent policy and practice overhaul needed to support children and young people in the UK

The link hiding in plain sight between children’s mental health and speech and language challenges is laid bare this Mental Awareness Health Week in a powerful joint statement by Speech and Language UK and Centre for Mental Health.

The organisations are calling for urgent policy and practice reforms to support the record-high two million children in the UK who have speech and language challenges, which not only impact their ability to communicate but also increase their risk of developing mental health difficulties.

Research shows 81% of children with emotional and behavioural difficulties also have significant language difficulties.  In addition, between 45% and 64% of young people referred to mental health services have a language disorder.

This link has far-reaching consequences for education, social development and wellbeing. Children who have speech and language challenges have double the risk (1.8-2.3 times more) of poor mental health in adolescence compared to their peers.  Many of the approaches for supporting mental health involve talking which means that children who struggle with talking and understanding words can’t benefit from support that is available.

Despite the clear connection between speech and language challenges and mental health difficulties, UK services remain fragmented and overstretched. Long waits for speech and language therapy services, pressure on mental health services, and limited integration between the two delay early intervention which, is crucial for preventing the escalation of difficulties. Many school staff also lack training to identify and support children with both needs, further contributing to gaps in care.

Speech and Language UK and Centre for Mental Health are calling for clear policy and practice recommendations to better support these children. These include:

• Investing in early identification and intervention
• Adjusting and adapting access to mental health services
• Workforce training for mental health practitioners
• Listening to young people (including those from marginalised groups and racialised communities)
• Funding research

Jane Harris, Chief Executive of Speech and Language UK, said: “Speech and language challenges don’t just affect how children communicate – they shape how they understand and express their emotions. Without the language for how they feel, many struggle silently, unable to process their thoughts or reach out for support.

“This is an urgent call to action.  Forthcoming changes to the education system – especially SEND reform – must recognise the link between speech and language challenges and mental health, and the need to educate and train teaching staff to tackle the crisis in our schools.

“The Government must invest in the next generation with urgency and compassion. That means resourcing the people who support them and joining up the gaps between speech and language therapy and mental health services.”

Andy Bell, chief executive at Centre for Mental Health, said: “The links between mental health difficulties and speech and language challenges are undeniable. But fragmented services and long waits for support on both sides put children at a double disadvantage and can rob them of a happy and healthy childhood.

“Delayed or inaccessible support casts a long shadow across a child’s life – and this is avoidable. We’re calling on the Government to invest now in earlier identification of difficulties and in adapting mental health support for children experiencing speech and language difficulties.”

To read the joint position statement in full, visit:
https://speechandlanguage.org.uk/the-issue/our-policy-campaigns/position-paper-mental-health-and-speech-and-language-challenges-in-children-and-young-people-in-the-uk/
https://www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/position-statement-mental-health-and-speech-and-language-challenges-in-children-and-young-people-in-the-uk/

-ENDS-

For more information, or to arrange interviews, please contact:

Hannah Sherrard: [email protected] | [email protected]

Amelia Moran: [email protected] | [email protected]

About Speech and Language UK

For at least 2 million children in the UK, learning to talk and understand words feels like an impossible hurdle. We work to give every child the skills they need to face the future with confidence.  We design innovative tools and training for thousands of early years staff and teachers to use in their classrooms. We run two special schools for children with complex speech and language challenges, Dawn House in Nottinghamshire and Meath in Surrey. We give families the confidence and skills to help their children. And we put pressure on politicians to prioritise help for speech and language challenges.

We demand a country in which every child with challenges in talking and understanding words has the skills they need to face the future with confidence. Together we can achieve it.

About Centre for Mental Health

Centre for Mental Health is an independent charity. We take the lead in challenging injustices in policies, systems and society, so that everyone can have better mental health. We do this by building research evidence to create fairer mental health policy.

Poverty, injustice and discrimination put some people at a much higher risk of poor mental health – but less likely to receive the right support.

By developing mental health research, economic analysis and policy ideas, we’re equipping services and decision makers to meet people’s needs and reduce mental health inequalities. Learn more: https://www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/

1. 81% of children with emotional and behavioural difficulties also have significant language difficulties (Hollo et al., 2014).
2. Between 45% and 64% of young people referred to mental health services have a language disorder. (Cohen et al., 2013)
3. Children who have speech and language challenges have double the risk (1.8-2.3 times more) of poor mental health in adolescence compared to their peers (Yew et al, 2013).
4. For at least 2 million children in the UK, learning to talk and understand words feels like an impossible hurdle. (Speech and Language UK, 2025)