A new report has revealed that children living in poorer areas of Oxfordshire are significantly more likely to suffer from mental health issues. The findings were shared with local councillors during a presentation by Oxfordshire County Council’s Director of Public Health on Tuesday.
Ansaf Azhar, the director, explained to the BBC that the report highlighted how mental health problems were increasingly becoming a barrier for children to reach their full potential. The report’s findings prompted councillors to vote in favor of taking action to support initiatives aimed at improving mental health and wellbeing for young people.
Nathan Ley, Oxfordshire’s Cabinet Member for Public Health, Inequalities, and Community Safety, emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues. He said, “If we want a fairer, healthier, and more prosperous county, we must act now to support our young people and their mental health, not just for their sake but for the future of our workforce and communities.”
Striking Inequalities in Children’s Mental Health
The report, which includes data from the 2023 OxWell School Survey, revealed “striking” inequalities in the mental health and wellbeing of children across the county. One key finding was that about a quarter of children aged 8 to 16 with mental health problems had parents who could not afford out-of-school activities, highlighting the link between socioeconomic deprivation and mental health challenges.
Areas like Greater Leys were found to have a significantly higher rate of self-harm—about six and a half times the rate of north-central Oxford. The report cited the rising cost of living, especially the high cost of housing relative to incomes, as a contributing factor to these disparities.
The report also identified the harmful effects of social media, noting that exposure to harmful content, harassment, and cyberbullying were linked to an increase in depression and anxiety among young people.
Additional Key Findings
Other notable findings from the report include:
A steady increase in the number of children receiving support for special educational needs in schools, with the growth rate surpassing the national trend.
Around 11% of children referred to secondary mental health services, one of the highest rates in the South East of England.
A significantly higher prevalence of autism in Oxfordshire compared to the national average.
Oxfordshire’s ranking in the lowest 25% nationally for educational attainment among disadvantaged children at various educational stages, including early years development, Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2, and Key Stage 4.
Empowering Young People
Mr. Azhar stressed the importance of empowering young people to manage their mental health and conditions. “Our schools and early years teams are doing a fantastic job,” he said. “What we need to do now is build on that and expand further, making it clear that there are plenty of interventions available.”
Dr. Emma Soneson, who contributed to the original survey, echoed Mr. Azhar’s sentiments, pointing out that many people’s perception of Oxfordshire overlooks the inequalities in the region. “When people think about Oxfordshire, they think of this magnificent university town and forget about a lot of the inequalities,” she said. “Tackling inequalities is really one of the foremost things we should be doing, and the report provides a clear action plan for addressing these challenges.”
This report underscores the urgent need for targeted action to address the mental health crisis among young people, particularly in deprived areas, and highlights the crucial role of local initiatives in supporting their wellbeing.
Related topics:
