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Rachel V Thomas

Over 1 Million Children Referred for Mental Health Care in England, Anxiety Most Common Reason

More than one million children in England had active referrals to mental health services last year, with <span>anxiety</span> remaining the leading reason for seeking support, according to a new report. 

The annual report by Children's Commissioner <span>Rachel de Souza</span> warns that England is facing a growing children's mental health crisis. 

New data for 2024-25 shows that 1,048,965 children had an active referral to Children and Young People's Mental Health Services (CYPMHS) — nearly double the number recorded in 2018-19 and almost 10 per cent higher than the previous year. 

"The report clearly demonstrates the sheer scale of distress young people are facing today," <span>de Souza</span> said. 

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/europes-heatwave-turns-deadly-as-it-claims-over-1300-in-a-week-says-who-article-154792384" data-type="tilCustomLink">Europe's Heatwave Turns Deadly As It Claims Over 1,300 In A Week, Says WHO</a>

<ul><li>Record demand: More than 1.04 million children had active referrals to Children and Young People's Mental Health Services (CYPMHS) in 2024-25, nearly double the number recorded in 2018-19 and almost 10 per cent higher than the previous year. </li></ul>

<ul><li>Anxiety remains the top concern: Anxiety accounted for 16 per cent of all referrals, making it the most common reason children were referred. Referrals for suspected autism rose by nearly 50 per cent in a year (65,530 to 96,393), while referrals for other neurodevelopmental conditions increased 24 per cent. </li></ul>

<ul><li>Growing treatment backlog: Despite more children receiving treatment, 35 per cent of referred children were still waiting for care by March 2025, up from 33 per cent the previous year and 29 per cent in 2022-23. </li></ul>

<ul><li>Long waits for support: More than 60,000 children had been waiting for treatment for over two years, compared with 44,000 the previous year. Those still waiting had an average wait of 224 days. </li></ul>

<ul><li>Poor access for autism support: Fewer than one in five children with suspected autism or neurodevelopmental conditions received treatment. For suspected autism alone, only 13 per cent accessed care by March 2025, with an average wait of about one year. </li><li></li></ul>Read More: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/parenting/jeremy-doku-row-doctors-explain-why-fathers-play-a-crucial-role-during-childbirth-article-154770501" data-type="tilCustomLink">Jeremy Doku Row: Doctors Explain Why Fathers Play A Crucial Role During Childbirth</a> 

<ul><li>Ethnic disparities: Black and Asian children were less likely to be referred but more likely to reach services only in crisis. One in four Black children were referred in crisis, compared with 16 per cent of Asian and 7.4 per cent of White children. </li></ul>

<ul><li>Age differences: Adolescents aged 13-15 accounted for 35 per cent of children receiving treatment, while younger children were more likely to face longer waits or have referrals closed before treatment. </li></ul>

<ul><li>Socioeconomic inequality: Children from the poorest 10 per cent of areas made up 15 per cent of referrals, compared with 7.6 per cent from the least deprived areas. </li></ul>

<ul><li>Gender gap: Boys were slightly less likely than girls to be referred and to receive treatment after referral. </li></ul>

<h2>The Need to Improve Children's Mental Health </h2>

"These are not just numbers, but children whose lives have been put on hold for months and, in some cases, years waiting for support they urgently need," de Souza said. 

She urged greater investment in children's mental health and called for stronger support across schools, healthcare and social care. 

de Souza stressed the need for "greater focus on services across health, education and social care to ensure children are getting the help they need in schools and the community".

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More than one million children in England had active referrals to mental health services last year, with anxiety remaining the leading reason for seeking support, according to a new report. The annual report by Children's Commissioner Rachel de Souza warns that England is facing a growing children's mental health crisis. New data for 2024-25 shows that 1,048,965 children had an active referral to Children and Young People's Mental Health Services (CYPMHS) — nearly double the number recorded in 2018-19 and almost 10 per cent higher than the previous year. "The report clearly demonstrates the sheer scale of distress young people are facing today," de Souza said.  What Did The Report Find? Also read: Europe's Heatwave Turns Deadly As It Claims Over 1,300 In A Week, Says WHORecord demand: More than 1.04 million children had active referrals to Children and Young People's Mental Health Services (CYPMHS) in 2024-25, nearly double the number recorded in 2018-19 and almost 10 per cent higher than the previous year. Anxiety remains the top concern: Anxiety accounted for 16 per cent of all referrals, making it the most common reason children were referred. Referrals for suspected autism rose by nearly 50 per cent in a year (65,530 to 96,393), while referrals for other neurodevelopmental conditions increased 24 per cent. Growing treatment backlog: Despite more children receiving treatment, 35 per cent of referred children were still waiting for care by March 2025, up from 33 per cent the previous year and 29 per cent in 2022-23. Long waits for support: More than 60,000 children had been waiting for treatment for over two years, compared with 44,000 the previous year. Those still waiting had an average wait of 224 days. Poor access for autism support: Fewer than one in five children with suspected autism or neurodevelopmental conditions received treatment. For suspected autism alone, only 13 per cent accessed care by March 2025, with an average wait of about one year. Read More: Jeremy Doku Row: Doctors Explain Why Fathers Play A Crucial Role During Childbirth Ethnic disparities: Black and Asian children were less likely to be referred but more likely to reach services only in crisis. One in four Black children were referred in crisis, compared with 16 per cent of Asian and 7.4 per cent of White children. Age differences: Adolescents aged 13-15 accounted for 35 per cent of children receiving treatment, while younger children were more likely to face longer waits or have referrals closed before treatment. Socioeconomic inequality: Children from the poorest 10 per cent of areas made up 15 per cent of referrals, compared with 7.6 per cent from the least deprived areas. Gender gap: Boys were slightly less likely than girls to be referred and to receive treatment after referral. The Need to Improve Children's Mental Health  "These are not just numbers, but children whose lives have been put on hold for months and, in some cases, years waiting for support they urgently need," de Souza said.  She urged greater investment in children's mental health and called for stronger support across schools, healthcare and social care. de Souza stressed the need for "greater focus on services across health, education and social care to ensure children are getting the help they need in schools and the community".

over 1 million children referred for mental health care in england, anxiety most common reason

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