Reachwell

"About Us We are a group of UK academics who work with children and adolescents. We are concerned about the lack of focus on the needs of this age group, from tots to teens, in policy making during the pandemic. We provide scientific evidence that might help to redress this imbalance. Members Prof Ellen Townsend (University of Nottingham) Child and adolescent self-harm/suicide. (Chair.) Prof Ian Goodyer (University of Cambridge) Child Psychiatry. Neuroscience. (Co-Chair.) Dr Sunil Bhopal (Newcastle University) Population health paediatrics. Prof Sarah-Jayne Blakemore (University of Cambridge) Adolescent brain/social cognitive development. Prof Cathy Creswell (University of Oxford) Clinical Child Psychology. Anxiety prevention and treatment. Dr Delanjathan Devakumar (University College London) Child and adolescent health. Public Health. Prof Helen Dodd (University of Reading) Child psychology, play and child mental health, parenting. Prof Tamsin Ford (University of Cambridge) Child Psychiatry. Epidemiology. Mental health in schools. Prof Uta Frith (University College London) Cognitive development. Prof Neil Humphrey (University of Manchester) Psychology of Education. Social/emotional learning. Prof Ann John (University of Swansea) Suicide, self-harm, epidemiology and public health. Prof Eamon McCrory (University College London) Childhood trauma and adversity. Dr Darren Moore (University of Exeter) School mental health. Special educational needs. Professor Paul Ramchandani, University of Cambridge Play, education, development and learning. Prof Essi Viding (University College London) Children and Young People’s Mental Health. REACHWELL is dedicated to: Using joint expertise to point to research that shows potential risks and harms of lockdowns and social distancing explained in a simple way. Providing succinct summaries of scientific evidence relating to the impact of lockdowns and social distancing on development, social interaction, learning/education, play, domestic and gang violence, safeguarding, mental health and wellbeing (and associated risk factors), self-harm and suicide. Reports will also highlight inequalities experienced in these areas. We hope this evidence will be taken into account when making decisions about lockdowns and social distancing, and will highlight the need to prioritize children and adolescents. Contact: Prof Ellen Townsend" http://web.archive.org/web/20200920104556/https://reachwell.org/