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Building brighter futures: Children and young people's mental health

12 January 2022

Society

Around 1 in 8 children and young people in the UK have a clinically diagnosable mental health disorder. With half of adult mental health problems established before the age of 14, the statistics tell a story we just don’t want to hear. And with numbers growing even before COVID-19 and children’s mental health deteriorating more than other groups, we are determined to change the story.

The new Pears Maudsley Centre for Children and Young People, set to open in 2023, will bring together patients, families, clinicians and researchers to transform our understanding and treatment of young people’s mental health, reshaping young lives for the better. It will be a vibrant, safe and welcoming space for generations to come, designed with young people, who after all are the experts in their own lives.

Bringing expert minds together

The Centre is a collaboration between the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s, South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and the Maudsley Charity.

Together under one roof, clinicians and academics will have conversations that spark innovation, while reaching out to their connections in the UK and beyond to change the lives of young people. 

It sounds very dramatic to say, but without the Maudsley I don’t think Elizabeth would be here anymore. I don’t see how she could have possibly fought back on her own or with me next to her. We wouldn’t have done it. That is my belief.– Ellie, mum of Elizabeth, aged 18

The challenges we’re addressing

We are at a unique moment where we are on the cusp of making a transformational difference to children’s mental health - from the development of new drug-free treatment to using digital technology to prevent, manage and treat poor mental health.

In the new Centre, we’ll focus on early intervention and lifelong support, including: 