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Dept of Health

Answer

Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the link between mental health problems in children and adolescents and suicide/self-harm when they are adults. [47440] Jacqui Smith: Mental disorder in childhood is a risk factor for mental disorder in adulthood, which itself is a risk factor for suicide and self-harm. The continuities between childhood and adulthood vary according to the nature and severity of the disorder. Under the leadership of Professor Louis Appleby, National Director for Mental Health, we are developing a coherent national suicide prevention strategy. The strategy will strike a balance between a population approach and a focus on specific high risk/high benefit populations. We recognise that young people are a key "at risk" group and one of the key strategy objectives will be to promote the mental health of children and young people. We plan to publish a draft strategy for wide public consultation later this spring.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

47440; 383 c433-4W;383 c433W

Session

2001-02

Subjects

Children Mental illness Mental health Young people Suicide Self-harm

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk