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As part of the QHRN seminar series, Dr Emeline Han will present: "Flailing around in the dark": young people's and parents' experiences of waiting for mental health services in the UK.
Seminar details
Title: "Flailing around in the dark": young people's and parents' experiences of waiting for mental health services in the UK
Speaker: Dr Emeline Han.
Date: Wednesday 9th April 2025.
Time: 14:00-15.00 UK time.
Location: Zoom (Details will be emailed to attendees 2 days before the seminar).
Please register via our Eventbrite page.
Abstract
Children and young people (CYP) often report long waiting times for mental health services in the UK, with some waiting over two years to receive treatment. Quantitative studies have shown that longer waits for mental health services are associated with increased symptom severity, reduced treatment engagement, and poorer treatment outcomes. Yet, we have almost no understanding of CYP’s lived experiences of waiting, and how to improve these experiences or reduce the negative consequences of waiting. In this seminar, Emeline will present the findings from the first qualitative study to explore the experiences and coping strategies of CYP on mental health waitlists, looking across ages (11-17 years) and geographical regions of England, as well as triangulating CYP and parent perspectives. Emeline will also discuss the important implications of these findings for mental health policy and practice in the UK.
Biography
Emeline is a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in the UCL Social Biobehavioural Research Group, Department of Behavioural Science and Health. Emeline leads the qualitative workstreams within larger projects evaluating the implementation and impact of social prescribing on mental health and wellbeing. Emeline’s specific research interests include arts-based health interventions and improving the inclusivity of health and social services for neurodivergent populations.
