Purple House Clinic (PHC) Birmingham, our newest clinic in the Purple House Clinic network, has reported a soaring demand for its services over the last two months, with an increase of over 50% in adult, young people and children’s enquiries. Having only recently opened its doors in Coleshill, the clinic has grown a team of four new psychologists to help meet the needs of people struggling with their mental health.
Dr Danielle Grey, Clinical Director of PHC Birmingham, believes a combination of factors has led to the surge in demand across the West Midlands, from long NHS waiting lists to increased strain on statutory services and the long-term impact of the pandemic. “It has become very evident that there is a pressing need for mental health support services across Birmingham, particularly for younger children aged between five to seven. Whilst the physical effect of the pandemic was easy to spot, I think the mental impact is only becoming clearer now and has left a growing number of children with unprecedented challenges.”
Earlier this month, to mark Children’s Mental Health Week (5th – 11th February), analysis from the Royal College of Psychiatrists was released which showed a staggering rise in the number of children in England being referred for emergency mental healthcare. In just four years, psychiatrists and their teams have seen a 53% increase in the number of children in mental health crisis, who need emergency support.
Echoing this national concern, a closer look at regional data reveals a similar pattern in the Birmingham and Solihull area. With the number of children in contact with mental health services increasing from 2,750 in April 2018 to 4,535 in May 2023, these are alarming numbers and demonstrate the urgent need to provide the right support for young people and children across the UK.
“Although our clinic is still relatively new to the area, I am so pleased that we have been able to provide a service that can make a positive impact on the lives of our local community. We are building a team of psychologists, educational psychologists and occupational therapists so people can access timely support when most needed, whether that be for therapy or neurodiversity assessments. We all have mental health; it affects anyone. Seeking mental health support can be a difficult step, but it is so important to think about our emotional wellbeing and how we look after our mental health”. added Danielle.
As well as providing individual support to adults and children, PHC Birmingham offers a range of tailored psychological therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT).
For more information about PHC Birmingham and the therapies they offer, call 0121 820 7851 or click here: www.purplehouseclinic.co.uk/psychologists-birmingham.