Teenagers facing 'mental illness epidemic'

London's teenagers are suffering in a "hidden epidemic" of mental illness, experts said today.

One in every 100 children in Britain has an undiagnosed mental illness, according to doctors at the Priory Group. But they say London is at the centre of an explosion in early psychosis in children.

There are 37 NHS centres in Britain specialising in helping adolescents with psychiatric problems. However, doctors from the Priory independent mental healthcare-group say not enough is being done to tackle the issue.

The group's healthcare services director, Professor Chris Thompson, said London's children are most at risk.

He said: "London is a very impersonal place, and many of these children feel alienated and lonely. The sheer number of people here makes it very easy for a child to effectively become anonymous at school and to hide any problems.

"Parents also miss things. I would recommend they see their GP immediately if they think there is a problem, and the screening and treatment process can begin. In a lot of cases, it will be normal adolescent behaviour, but early treatment is the key."

Professor Thompson said the Government was not doing enough. "It can take up to two years at the moment before someone is treated. If left, this could develop into schizophrenia or bipolar disease."

The Priory unveils plans today for a centre at Roehampton to treat 16- to 21-year-olds.

Professor Thompson added: "There have to be a lot more than the Government's current 37 centres to look at this problem."

Marjorie Wallace, of mental health charity Sane, said: "The Government needs to overhaul the system radically. This is now virtually an epidemic. In London it's incredibly hard to get treatment even if the symptoms are spotted."

A Department of Health source said: "The Government has realised more needs to be done in the area of dealing with adolescent mental health problems, and it is something we are working on."

She confirmed only two regional development workers cover London to help GPs spot mental illness in children but said a ?300million programme will increase the number of workers across Britain.