Child Suicide Figures

The Assistant Children’s Commissioner for Wales has expressed concern regarding the variation in the statistics for suicides between England and Wales provided by ONS (copy of data at annex 1).

The Welsh Assembly takes the issue of child death seriously no matter how it occurs.   The suicide of a child or young person is always tragic.  Whilst we are very concerned about the variation in figures between Wales and England, with a consistently higher annual rate in Wales, it should be borne in mind that there are a number of issues that can affect the recording and interpretation of the data.  This can, along with other matters, include recording practice by coroners between accidental death and suicide. We will look further into these figures to see if there are any common factors and consider what further investigation may be helpful.  

In 2001 the Welsh Assembly Government launched a 10 year strategy for the delivery of services and development of guidance associated with children and young people’s mental health – “Everybody’s Business”. Much has been achieved since its launch in 2001.  A review of progress is planned in the financial year 2006-07, which will identify clear benchmarks and map out future actions to achieve its 10 year vision.

In addition the Welsh Assembly has supported, developed or funded a number of services which can offer support to children, young people and their families/carers including:

• A Community Advice & Listening Line (CALL) mental health help-line. The Assembly Government is considering whether this can be extended to include advice for parents who are worried about their children.

• Guidance for schools, Local Education Authorities (LEAs) and other partners to promote the mental health and social well-being of pupils, including those in nursery settings which is being developed and due to issue in 2006.

• Specific CAMHS targets within the Service and Financial Framework (SaFF) have provided fresh impetus and include CAMHS teams providing  consultation and advice to professionals in Tier 1 within 4 weeks and early referral for routine assessment and intervention

• Recurrent money totaling £1.2m has been made available for CAMHS from 2004-05 for the provision of beds for adolescents who require admission in emergencies, Forensic Adolescent Consultation Teams and Primary Mental Health Workers. In addition, £2.4m of non-recurrent Waiting Times money has been earmarked for CAMHS this year, subject to successful value for money bids.

• Funding has been provided to the University of Glamorgan and the University of Bangor in 2003/04, 2004/05 and 2005/06 to develop a diploma level module to meet the needs of nurses working in the field of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. Funding also been provided to enable the Universities to evaluate the courses.

• Counseling Pilots – Funding of £200k has been set aside for 2006-07 by DfTE to implement a counseling strategy on a pilot basis.