The Intersection of Mental Health and Safeguarding in 2026

2025-12-08 16:24

Mental health and safeguarding are deeply interconnected. Poor mental health increases vulnerability to harm, whilst abuse and neglect damage mental wellbeing. Yet many organisations still treat them as separate issues, missing critical opportunities for early intervention and protection.

Why is Mental Health a Safeguarding Issue?

The Links Between Mental Health and Vulnerability

Children with mental health difficulties are:

More likely to experience abuse and exploitation
At increased risk of self-harm and suicide
Vulnerable to online grooming and manipulation
More susceptible to peer-on-peer abuse
At risk of criminal and sexual exploitation
More likely to go missing or run away

Mental health concerns aren't just wellbeing issues—they're safeguarding red flags.

How Abuse Impacts Mental Health

Trauma from abuse causes Anxiety, depression, PTSD, attachment difficulties, emotional distress leading to self-harm, suicidal ideation, substance misuse, eating disorders and dissociation and complex trauma responses.

Safeguarding responses must address mental health impact, not just immediate safety.

Recognising Mental Health Concerns as Safeguarding Issues

What Are The Warning Signs That Require Safeguarding Response?

Behavioural changes:

Sudden withdrawal from activities or relationships
Significant changes in eating or sleeping patterns
Increased risk-taking or reckless behaviour
Substance use or experimentation
Running away or going missing
Self-isolation or school refusal

Emotional indicators:

Persistent low mood or hopelessness
Excessive anxiety or panic
Anger outbursts or aggression
Emotional numbness or detachment
Expressions of worthlessness
Suicidal thoughts or statements

Physical signs:

Self-harm injuries (cutting, burning, hitting)
Unexplained weight loss or gain
Deteriorating personal hygiene
Physical complaints without medical cause
Fatigue or lethargy
Signs of substance use

Social changes:

Friendship group changes, especially to older peers
Online relationships with unknown adults
Secretive behaviour about activities or contacts
Exploitation by peers or adults
Involvement in risky or criminal activity

This is a lot to comprehend and keep an eye out for! Discussions with mentors, colleagues, can help you learn from others and equally help you identify any issues. Naturally, anonymise the information initially but this could help identify a moment or situation that requires escalation and action.

When Does Mental Health Becomes a Safeguarding Matter?

Always consider safeguarding when:

Self-harm is present or disclosed
Suicidal thoughts or plans are expressed
Mental health deterioration is rapid or severe
Child is at risk of exploitation due to vulnerability
Family circumstances contribute to mental health crisis
Child is engaging in risky behaviour
There's evidence of abuse, neglect, or trauma

Mental health concerns don't automatically mean safeguarding referrals, but they always require safeguarding assessment.

Identifying At-Risk Children

Vulnerable Groups

Particular attention to:

Children in care as they have higher rates of mental health difficulties, trauma from separation and adverse experiences and attachment challenges through the impact of an unstable environment.

Children with SEND as they often have communication barriers to expressing distress. They've increased vulnerability to abuse through social isolation and peer rejection.

LGBTQ+ young people have higher rates of anxiety and depression, bullying and discrimination. Coupled with family rejection or conflict can leave them truly isolated.

Young carers have stress from caring responsibilities, which can create educational and social isolation. Parentification and role reversal means they worry about family member's health above their own.

Children experiencing poverty might have stress from financial insecurity, housing instability and overcrowding. Malnutrition can play as well as limited access to support services.

Children affected by domestic abuse or witness violence and coercive control can be living in fear

Early Intervention Strategies

Creating Mentally Healthy Environments

Promote emotional literacy:

Teach children to recognise and name emotions which in-turn normalises talking about feelings. Model healthy emotional expression, creating a vocabulary for mental health.

Build resilience:

Develop problem-solving skills and encourage healthy coping strategies. Foster positive relationships and celebrate effort and growth, not just achievement.

Reduce stigma:

Talk openly about mental health and challenge stereotypes and misconceptions. Share stories of recovery and support, ensuring seeking help is seen as strength.

Create safe spaces:

Trusted adults children can approach are helped by quiet spaces for private conversations. Peer support systems with accessible information and support can make a child more comfortable to open up.

Recognising and Responding Early Via a Tiered Model

Universal support (all children):

Mental health education
Wellbeing activities
Safe, predictable environments

Targeted support (children showing early signs):

Check-ins with trusted adults
Small group interventions / peer mentoring
Parental engagement and support

Specialist support (children with significant needs):

Referral to CAMHS or mental health services
Multi-agency support
Safeguarding involvement if needed

Early intervention prevents escalation and protects children.

Working with CAMHS and Mental Health Services

Understanding the Referral Process

When to refer to CAMHS:

Persistent mental health difficulties impacting functioning
Self-harm or suicidal thoughts
Eating disorders
Severe anxiety or depression
Trauma symptoms
Psychosis or severe mental illness

Referral requirements:

Evidence of need and impact
Parental consent (usually required)
Completed referral forms
Supporting information from school/setting
Previous interventions attempted

Supporting Children Whilst Waiting

Many children wait months for CAMHS support so what can you do?

Staff experiencing mental health difficulties:

Maintain regular check-ins and provide in-house support where possible. Signpost to alternative services (charities, online support) but do so with the involvement of parents in support planning to ensure everyone is comfortable, including the child. It's important to give them a say and feel heard.

What's a Trauma-Informed Environment?

Understanding What Trauma Responses Can Occur

Trauma affects behaviour:

Fight responses: Aggression, defiance, anger
Flight responses: Avoidance, running away, school refusal
Freeze responses: Dissociation, compliance, shutdown
Fawn responses: People-pleasing, over-accommodation

Behaviour is communication—what is the child trying to tell us?

Practical Trauma-Informed Strategies

In daily practice:

Regulate before expecting regulation from children, offering opportunities for control and autonomy
Understand behaviour as communication
Respond to need, not just behaviour, following through on commitments
Provide co-regulation and emotional support
Avoid re-traumatisation through responses and develop coping skills
Build relationships with transparency and honesty before demanding compliance

Always take suicidal thoughts seriously—asking about suicide does not increase risk.

Conclusion

Mental health and safeguarding are inseparable. Recognising mental health concerns as potential safeguarding issues, intervening early, working collaboratively with mental health services, supporting staff wellbeing, and creating trauma-informed environments are all essential for protecting children.

In 2026, effective safeguarding means understanding that a child's mental health is central to their safety, and their safety is fundamental to their mental health. Organisations that integrate these approaches create environments where children are truly protected and supported to thrive.

Strengthen your trauma-informed practice. Our training resources help organisations recognise the intersection of mental health and safeguarding, creating safer, more supportive environments for vulnerable children.