Children with speech struggles more prone to poor mental health

A new report reveals that children that struggle with talking and understanding words are not only more likely to develop mental health problems, they're also less likely to get the support they desperately need.
 
The report by Speech and Language UK, lays bare the stark link between speech and language challenges and mental health challenges: a record two million UK children now face significant struggles with talking and understanding words - more than ever before.

A worryingly high 81% of children experiencing mental health problems also have significant, often undiagnosed, speech and language difficulties. And almost half (45%) of all young people referred to mental health services are grappling with serious language challenges.
 
This is unfolding against a backdrop of rapidly rising mental health issues. In 2023, one in five children and young people (aged 8 to 25) experienced a mental health problem - a dramatic increase from 1 in 9 in 2017.
 
For children who struggle with talking and understanding words, recognising and expressing emotions can be especially difficult. Language is the primary tool we use to make sense of our thoughts and feelings, and without it, emotions can feel overwhelming and unmanageable. Without the words to explain how they feel, their ability to process and manage these emotions is significantly impacted, and over time, can manifest in mental health problems like anxiety and depression.
 
These struggles inevitably spill over into their social worlds. Over half (56%) of affected children and young people have difficulties making and keeping friendships, while more than a third (35%) have faced bullying or exclusion. These experiences often lead to withdrawal, with 22% of young people turning down social invitations due to anxiety related to their speech and language challenges.
 
Across the country, teachers, therapists and families are fighting every day to support these children - but they’re up against a system that’s failing the very children they are trying to help. More than half (53%) of teachers believe they lack the training they need to support children’s speech and language development. Government has stopped funding cut the Early Years Professional Development programme which skilled up nursery staff and childminders in language and communication. Schools are not funded to provide group language programmes until Reception.  Meanwhile, speech and language therapy services are stretched to breaking point - underfunded, oversubscribed, and unable to meet soaring demand.
 
What’s more, accessing and benefiting from NHS talking therapies is challenging, if not impossible, for children who struggle with talking and understanding words.  The crisis is particularly acute in disadvantaged areas, where up to 50% of children started school behind in communication and language even before the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis.8
 
In response to the findings, Speech and Language UK is calling on the Government to take urgent action, including integrating speech and language support into the Government's 10 Year Health Plan, and mandatory training for mental health practitioners in schools on recognising and supporting speech challenges. It also calls for better collaboration between speech therapy and mental health services to end fragmented care, and to invest in research to find the most effective ways of supporting young people with mental health and speech and language challenges Early identification tools in nurseries and schools.
 
Across the country, teachers, therapists and families are fighting every day to support these children - but they’re up against a system that’s fragmented, overstretched and under-resourced.
 
Jane Harris, Chief Executive of Speech and Language UK, said: “This report reveals a national tragedy – we're failing our most vulnerable children twice over. When a child can't express how they feel or understand what's happening around them, their world becomes frightening and isolating. We then offer mental health therapies they can’t access – it simply doesn’t make sense. These children are being let down at every turn. We cannot let their voices go unheard any longer.
 
"The solutions are clear and achievable. We know what works – we just need the political will and resources to make it happen. We need a system that truly sees and supports every child. The longer we wait, the deeper the damage becomes to children, families, and society. We cannot – and will not – accept this as inevitable."
 
Andy Bell, Chief Executive at Centre for Mental Health, said: ""Too many children are missing out on mental health support because existing services aren’t adapting to meet their needs. This has to change. Both education and health services must be resourced to meet a child’s health, social, educational and developmental needs holistically.”