Global Accessibility Awareness Day - 19 May 2023
Today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day. A quarter of a million children in the UK with mental health problems have been denied help by the NHS. Despite the formidable and authoritative chorus of support from NHS leaders, politicians, and independent think tanks, that digital access is fundamental in helping to solve this crisis, huge systemic barriers continue to prevent access to timely, evidence-based mental health support.
Rising thresholds to access – in 2022 NHS trusts were forced to raise the threshold at which they would offer support to tackle backlogs. Thresholds for support are now so high that 25% of CYP seeking help are turned away or put on long waiting lists.
Access to treatment remains a postcode lottery – your postcode determines when your child can access support and the type of support and therapies available to them.
Funding access to CYP mental health - the NHS spends an average of £225 on mental health for every adult, while allocating just £92 for every child.
On this Global Accessibility Awareness Day, let us recognise the urgent need to break down these barriers that prevent vulnerable children from accessing vital mental health support. Concerted efforts must be made at both the policy and grassroots levels to champion digital accessibility. At BfB Labs we continue to accelerate our mission as a transformative force to address the mental health crisis, designing digital interventions for a new generation to ensure that no child or young person is left behind in their journey towards well-being and recovery.
#Digitaltherapeutics #CYP