Monday 25 September 2017

"Mental Ill Health Across Children of the New Century"


"This briefng paper summarises the prevalence of mental health problems among children taking part in the Millennium Cohort Study (MCS), which is a representative group of children born in the UK at the start of this century."


Link

"Childhoods in a Digital World"


"So swift has been the pace of change that future historians will likely view this period as an overarching era of change, much the same as we now view periods such as the Enlightenment or the Industrial Revolution. Indeed, ecologists and economists have identified the start of this millennium as a new human epoch – the Anthropocene – because of the fundamental shift in society brought by our mass access to commerce, automation and data. And so, internet access is both the biggest challenge but also the biggest opportunity for young people growing up in the UK today. "

 Source: Barnardo’s  Date: 19 September 2017

 Link

Tuesday 5 September 2017

What happens when google knows you're depressed?


"Google users should consider the potential damage the search engine's new depression questionnaire could do to their digital profile in the eyes of insurers and employers."

"The knowledge graph reassures the user “No individual data linking you to your answers will be used by Google without your consent. Some anonymised data may be used in aggregate to improve your experience.” In mental health, an area too often overlooked, we can be too quick to ignore the potential for damage in the seemingly beneficent actions of those in power. Data allows you to make models and models shape decisions. If you successfully turn a thing into data you can turn it into a commodity. These questionnaires, given with consent, may allow Google to confirm its hunches about who is and isn’t depressed"

Link -

CAMHS shortfall is having a deadly affect on young people


"Why are the regulators and the Government deaf to the needs of some of the most vulnerable young people in our society?
Firstly, there is a lack of understanding that children don’t suddenly become sick, then have a few months treatment and are cured. Meaningful provision means preventative steps must be taken to protect our young minds from an early age.
We need far more robust education in our schools and care homes to identify the signs of mental health – and strategies and support put in place to help these worried youngsters.

It is also crucial that there are ‘step down’ facilities so young people have the support to re-integrate them into society and are not just dumped back in the situation that caused their illness in the first instance."

Link -