Mental health

Children with speech and language challenges are more likely to struggle with their mental health. Yet they’re also less likely to be able to get help when they need it. We’re calling for mental health support for every child.

Understanding mental health and speech and language challenges

Right now, two million children in the UK are struggling with talking and understanding words. Too often left isolated, unheard, and misunderstood, this can have a devastating impact on their mental health. Shockingly, 45% of young people referred to mental health services have been found to have difficulties with language skills.

The challenges children are facing

Support services – both for speech and language challenges and for mental health issues – are oversubscribed and under resourced. Often, children are not able to get help at all when they’re struggling. And even when help is offered, it’s impossible for them to access.

  • Traditional mental health support, like talking therapies, relies heavily on your speech, language, and verbal reasoning skills. For a child who struggles with talking and understanding words, this is not the right approach.
  • Mental health professionals and teachers often do not have the training or knowledge they need to help children with speech and language challenges.
  • Speech and language therapy and mental health services are not working together. The care children get is often fragmented and confusing.

The changes children need

The solutions are clear. Children with speech and language challenges need mental health support that works for them. Together, we can make that happen.

  • More children need help with speech and language challenges so they can use language to identify and manage their emotions, helping to prevent future mental health problems
  • Children who struggle with talking and understanding words need mental health support that works for them. That includes creative therapies like art, drama and play therapy.
  • Staff at mental health services, schools, and nurseries need training and tools so that they can identify children with speech and language challenges and adapt their support.
  • Our Government must include children with speech and language challenges in its mental health plans.

Find out more

Read our latest report to learn more about mental health issues and speech and language challenges.

To show children who struggle with talking and understanding words that their needs matter, sign our wall of hope today.