{
  "abstract": "The demand for mental health services for children and young people in the community and acute paediatrics is increasing in many settings around the world. Recent data from NHS England Digital estimate that around one in five children and young people aged 7–24 years in England have a probable mental disorder, with the COVID-19 pandemic likely to have worsened a pre-existing trend. 1 Involving paediatricians and the wider child health workforce in providing care for these children and young people is necessary and urgent. NHS England has funded a pilot of Mental Health Champions; a paediatrician or senior paediatric nurse in each acute hospital given dedicated time each week to develop services and expertise locally.2 The role description was developed by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health; and champions were encouraged to work with their local mental health teams to think collaboratively about local implementation. Having been in this role for over a year, we share some reflections on key successes and challenges, with relevance to how we best deliver mental healthcare for children and young people in England and beyond.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Paediatrics, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Sakaria Ali"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Paediatrics, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Hannah Jacob"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Paediatric mental health champions: small steps to progress",
  "uid": "c033739d-d1e6-55af-8366-b05f1619e12d"
}