Half one million kids on NHS psychological well being ready record danger turning to AI chatbots for help, psychiatrists warn
Half a million children on mental health waiting lists are at risk of turning to AI chatbots for support, the Royal College of Psychiatrists has warned.
The professional body expressed ‘grave concerns’ that delays accessing NHS treatment could fuel a ‘dangerous reliance’ on unvetted technology.
NHS England data shows 550,610 children and young people have been referred to mental health services and are currently on waiting lists for treatment.
Of these, 30 per cent (165,887) had been waiting for over two years and 53 per cent (289,722) for over one year, as of the end of November.
Failing to prioritise treatment for children with mental illness is turning treatable conditions into ‘lifelong recurring mental illnesses’, the College added.
Dr Lade Smith, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: ‘The number of young people waiting for mental health treatment in England is just unacceptable.
‘If you’re a 12-year-old child, two years is a sixth of your life, this is a large part of your developmental process.
‘And without a doubt, that delay in treatment will interfere with your ability to achieve your potential and get on with your life.
Dr Lade Smith, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, has criticised long waits for children’s mental health support
Experts warn AI chatbots do not have the safeguards in place to ensure the advice given is actually safe or appropriate for a vulnerable child
‘There truly is a lack of ambition to treat mental illness in children and young people.
‘Unlike physical disorders, which mostly arise in middle age or older, the majority of mental disorders arise in youth.
‘The good news is that most can be effectively treated, but if left untreated, this risks a young person becoming an adult with a chronic illness that interferes with life chances – interferes with their relationships, interferes with their education and interferes with them being able to work.
‘It is time to prioritise children’s mental health care, for the good of individuals but frankly also for the good of the country.’
The College raised the alarm as the UK government is consulting on introducing a ban on under-16s using social media and enforcing stricter safety measures online.
Dr Guy Northover, chair of Royal College of Psychiatrists’ child and adolescent faculty, said: ‘While publicly available AI tools may give instant answers that feel supportive, in reality they don’t have the safeguards in place to ensure the advice given is actually safe or appropriate for a vulnerable child.
‘Someone struggling with their mental health shouldn’t have to worry about ‘factchecking’ their own support.
‘Families must stick to trusted, well-known sources for guidance they can truly rely on – there are online resources that are safe and evidence-based, but they’re not always widely available, and often subject to a postcode lottery or paywalls.
‘Addressing this rapidly growing trend should be a public health priority.
‘Providing nationwide guidance that everyone can access quickly, freely and in a timely manner is now critical, so people seeking help do not have to rely on unregulated online platforms.’
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘No parent should be worrying about their child’s mental health, which is why we have already helped nearly 40,000 more young people access support.
‘We are investing an extra £688 million in mental health services this financial year, hiring over 7,000 additional mental health workers, as well as accelerating the rollout of Mental Health Support Teams in schools and colleges.
‘We are also opening 50 Young Futures hubs over the next four years, bringing together services to improve mental health and wellbeing.’
