Children aged just 12 being put on adult mental wards

From this report seen in the Scotsman

Children as young as 12 are being forced into adult psychiatric wards due to bed shortages, leaving them exposed to sexual predators and seriously disturbed patients, a medical watchdog has warned.

The adolescent patients, many at risk of suicide, are not receiving specialist treatment in Scotland due to a lack of in-patient facilities.

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New figures seen by The Scotsman show there were 186 admissions for children with mental health problems across Scotland in 2006-7, and 171 of those were treated on an adult ward.

Doctors have raised the issue of public safety, claiming that there is increasing pressure to discharge adolescent patients who may be a risk to themselves and others.

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"There is a risk of sexual predators in these units, but also a risk of general violence and drugs," said Mr Malcolm.

"There are 171 children being admitted every year in Scotland to an adult unit, which is unacceptable. Children as young as 12 are being admitted."

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A shocking report by the charity, Childline, earlier this year revealed hundreds of girls had contacted the helpline after contemplating suicide.

According to the counselling service, four out of every five calls UK-wide involved discussions with girls about their suicidal feelings, with about 1,100 Scots children calling to discuss mental health issues such as depression.

Childline counsellors have called on the government to tackle the shortages of specialist therapists to help troubled children through exam stress, family troubles and eating disorders.

Research shows an alarming decline in the mental health of UK adolescents, with rates of depression and anxiety increasing by 70 per cent in the last 25 years.

The number of teenagers being treated for mental health problems in Edinburgh has soared by nearly a quarter in just three years.

Medical experts have blamed growing stress related to exam results and divorce for contributing to the huge rise.