Georgia Coan investigates…

Lockdown affects child and youth mental health referrals

Georgia Coan was a mentee on the 2018-19 scheme and paired with Simon Vigar from 5 News. While she usually works in the BBC News Podcast Unit, she has recently been working on an investigation with Radio 1’s Newsbeat about the effect lockdown has had on Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

Using replies to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests from 40 NHS Trusts in England, Georgia found the number of people in England referred to CAMHS had almost halved in April and May, compared with last year. And the FOI data showed 40% fewer patients were accepted for help this year.

Georgia reported for the Newsbeat lunchtime bulletin and BBC website and a two-way for Radio 4’s You and Yours.