England Sees Record Rise in Children Seeking Mental Health Care

Email:online@newsofbahrain.com

London: More than one million children in England were referred to mental health services last year, with anxiety continuing to be the most common reason for seeking help, according to a new report that warns of growing pressure on the country's support system.

The annual report by Children's Commissioner Rachel de Souza found that 1,048,965 children had active referrals to Children and Young People's Mental Health Services (CYPMHS) during 2024-25. The figure is nearly twice that recorded six years ago and almost 10 per cent higher than the previous year.

Despite an increase in the number of children receiving treatment, more than a third of those referred were still waiting for care by the end of March 2025. Over 60,000 children had been waiting for more than two years, while those still awaiting treatment faced an average wait of 224 days.

Anxiety accounted for 16 per cent of all referrals, making it the leading mental health concern among children. Referrals for suspected autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions also rose sharply, but only a small proportion of those children had accessed treatment by the end of the reporting period.

The report also highlighted inequalities in access to care. Children from poorer communities were referred at higher rates, while Black and Asian children were more likely to reach services only after experiencing a mental health crisis. Adolescents aged 13 to 15 made up the largest group receiving treatment.

De Souza said the findings reflect the scale of the mental health challenges facing young people and called for greater investment in services and stronger support through schools, healthcare and social care to ensure children receive help earlier.