Teenagers

Available for over a year

In this moving and insightful two part series for BBC Radio 4, children and teenagers receiving treatment at the world renowned Tavistock Centre in London share their experience of living with mental health problems. Over recent years the number of British children suffering from psychiatric illnesses has increased considerably and the age of presentation is falling. The Sunday Times has reported that the number of children admitted to hospital for self-harm, eating disorders and other psychological problems has doubled in four years. One in 10 five-to-16-year-olds has a mental health disorder, according to a 2014 Parliamentary task force report, and there has been a dramatic increase in demand for childhood and adolescent mental health services across the country. In this programme, Dr. Juliet Singer goes inside the consulting room to speak to teenage patients, their parents and therapists about what's it's like to live with mental illness - including depression, suicidal thoughts, self-harm and anxiety - and how they are being treated. The series explores why mental health problems among young people appear to be getting worse, with increased pressures from schools, parents, peer groups and social media. Presenter: Juliet Singer Producer: Melissa FitzGerald A Blakeway production for BBC Radio 4.