Children and young people can become ill from lack of sleep

Sleep difficulties are on the rise across the population, prompting experts to call for a coordinated national strategy. They argue that a dedicated plan for sleep, mirroring existing national initiatives for diet and physical activity, is urgently needed.

Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable, potentially enduring years of distress, including anxiety, school absenteeism, and psychological problems, before the root cause of their ailments is recognized as a sleep disorder. Experts highlight that many young individuals receive inadequate or incorrect treatment, or no help at all.

The current healthcare provisions for individuals suffering from sleep disorders are described as insufficient, haphazard, and for a significant number of patients, entirely absent. This lack of accessible and effective care exacerbates the problem, leaving many to struggle without proper diagnosis or treatment.