Dorset Family Counselling Trust

FCT is currently receiving high levels of referrals, an increase in need especially due to the pandemic with ever growing levels of complexity per case (average 3 conditions) - conditions which statutory services do not serve. These mental health challenges become worse if the families are unable to access the prompt support needed. From our data, children & their families are presenting with: Increasing levels of anxiety (also linked to Covid-19); depression; self-harm; family relationship issues/breakdown; exposure to domestic violence; extreme anger; obsessional behaviour; ADHD; autistic spectrum; bullying; trauma; eating, sleeping problems; developmental impairment; peer problems; bereavement; other forms of abuse. (Often a combination of these factors) We are seeing children as young as 4 years old (and up to 18 years) – average age for FCT is 11 years. NHS study before the latest national lockdown (January 2021) found one in six children had a probable mental health condition and said it is highly likely that the level of underlying mental health problems will remain significantly higher as a result of the pandemic.