Home / Health / Record Surge in Children's Mental Health Referrals
Record Surge in Children's Mental Health Referrals
28 May
Summary
- Over 930,000 children had active mental health referrals in March.
- Average waiting times for youth mental health support exceed 300 days.
- Urgent referrals for young people saw a 16% increase in March.
Figures released for March reveal a record-breaking surge in referrals to children and young people's mental health services. The charity YoungMinds reported over 932,000 under-18s had an active referral, with new referrals also reaching an all-time monthly high.
This crisis is compounded by unprecedented waiting times. Urgent referrals for young people increased by 16% in March compared to the previous month. The average waiting time for specialist mental health support has now surpassed 300 days for eight consecutive months, with some individuals waiting over 1,000 days.
Experts attribute the rise in mental health issues among young people to various pressures, including academic demands, the rising cost of living, and inequality. While a cross-government mental health strategy is planned, immediate action and increased investment in services are urgently needed to address the current emergency.
