Social prescribing for children and young people

Abstract

Mental ill health in children and young people (ie, people aged 10–19 years) is a global problem. In 2019, one in seven children and young people had diagnosed mental health conditions. The drivers for this high burden are complex and include home-based and school-based risks, lifestyle factors, and vulnerabilities due to disability, discrimination, and socioeconomic circumstances. There is no quick fix, but one holistic approach with potential is social prescribing. Social prescribing is gaining recognition globally, with significant policy and research traction in England , where it is now included as an all-age service in the 2019 NHS Long Term Plan. The original adult model requires primary care practitioners to refer an individual to a link worker, who supports them to connect and participate in community-based activities, primarily delivered by the non-profit sector.