7 d. ago Children across Scotland are waiting years to access mental health services

Freedom of information requests to NHS health boards found some young people waited more than 1000 days for support.

Society

1 week ago Mystery as death row killer manages to commit suicide while awaiting his execution

Florida death row inmate Matthew Caylor, who was awaiting execution for the horrific murder and rape of a 13-year-old girl, has died by suicide in prison.

Events

1 week ago Corporal punishment carries ‘multiple risks’ to children’s health, says WHO

An estimated 1.2bn children are subject to this ‘harmful practice’ each year, affecting physical and mental wellbeing, report findsThe World Health Organization has declared corporal punishment a global public health concern that causes serious harm to children’s physical and mental wellbeing, and can lead to criminal behaviour.A new report found that across 49 low- and middle-income countries, children exposed to corporal punishment – defined as “any punishment in which physical force is used and intended to cause some degree of pain or discomfort, however light” – were 24% less likely to be developmentally on track than children who were not. Continue reading...

Society

2 w. ago ‘Systemic failures’ led to unlawful death of girl at mental health unit – family

A jury inquest ruled the death of Ruth Szymankiewicz, who was left unsupervised at a children’s mental health ward, as unlawful killing.

Society

2 w. ago Girl, 14, who died on children's mental health ward when Ghanaian agency worker with a fake ID left her unsupervised was unlawfully killed, inquest rules

Ruth Szymankiewicz, who was being treated for an eating disorder at Huntercombe Hospital in Berkshire, was under strict one-to-one observation when the staff member for her walked away.

Events

2 w. ago Girl left unwatched by agency worker at psychiatric unit was unlawfully killed, inquest finds

Jury finds failings of worker before Ruth Szymankiewicz, 14, took own life amount to gross negligence manslaughterRuth was failed by system, say parentsA vulnerable 14-year-old girl was unlawfully killed when an agency support worker failed to keep her under observation at a secure psychiatric unit, an inquest jury has concluded.The worker, who used a false identity, left Ruth Szymankiewicz alone even though she had complex mental health issues and was judged to need constant watching because she was a suicide risk. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago The anxious generation: Mental health issues are causing kids to regularly skip school, parents say

In a new survey of more than 1,000 parents across the U.S., nearly a third said their child missed more than a week of school due to mental health reasons

Society

3 w. ago Suicidal girl, 14, died on children's mental health ward that had half its staff off work when inexperienced agency worker left her unsupervised, inquest told

Ruth Szymankiewicz was being treated for an eating disorder at Huntercombe Hospital in Berkshire but died on February 12, 2022.

Events

3 w. ago Hospital worker tears up as she recalls death of girl, 14, left alone on ward

Ruth Szymankiewicz died after she was left unsupervised at a children’s mental health hospital by an inexperienced agency worker.

Events

3 w. ago Verbally abused children more likely to have poor mental health as adults, study finds

Analysis suggests long-term damage to wellbeing can be worse than for children experiencing physical abuseParents who ridicule, threaten or humiliate their children risk leaving them with a 64% higher chance of having poor mental health as an adult, a study has found.The research also found physical abuse experienced among the research participants reduced over time, while verbal abuse increased. Continue reading...

Society