The Toxic Effect Of Poverty On Children’s Health | Letters

In nan past 18 months I’ve recovered myself having to respond to claims that intelligence wellness civilization has gone excessively far, that we’re over-diagnosing intelligence wellness problems and that we’re simply medicalising nan ups and downs of life. I dream nan children’s commissioner’s study (Children successful England ‘living successful almost Dickensian levels of poverty’, 8 July) is simply a infinitesimal for everyone to bespeak connected what nan “ups and downs” of life look for illustration for excessively galore young people: going without food, acold and mouldy homes, and not emotion safe successful nan area you live.

There is simply a toxic narration betwixt poorness and intelligence health. A truth reinforced by nan latest NHS data, showing that intelligence wellness problems among adults are astatine grounds levels, pinch group successful nan astir deprived areas hardest hit.

As the report itself cites, young group are understandably concerned astir waits for intelligence wellness treatment. And pinch bully logic – 35,000 young group person been waiting for much than 2 years for intelligence wellness support. Tackling intelligence wellness waiting lists and drivers of mediocre intelligence wellness must now beryllium a privilege for this government.
Dr Sarah Hughes
CEO, Mind

Many readers must person been shocked by nan study that children successful nan UK are surviving successful “almost Dickensian levels of poverty”. Abolishing nan two-child limit connected benefits would assistance galore retired of poverty. The costs of doing this has been estimated by nan Resolution Foundation arsenic £3.5bn. This whitethorn look a lot. However, each twelvemonth £23bn of benefits spell unclaimed, according to Policy successful Practice. Why not usage this money? It would use nan children, their families and nan places successful which they live.
Jan Pahl
Professor emeritus of societal policy, University of Kent