England is facing a mental health crisis, with one in every ten children now being diagnosed with a mental illness.
According to reports, more than one million children and young people across England were referred for mental health treatment last year, while a new report indicates that one in ten children is now facing a mental illness diagnosis.
The latest figures for 2024–25 show that the number of children and young people referred to mental health services has nearly doubled compared to 2018–19.
The report’s lead author and Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, said that the country is currently experiencing a crisis in youth mental health.
She stated that the figures presented in the report are deeply concerning and cannot be ignored. A 10 percent increase in referrals over the past year alone has placed severe pressure on the system, resulting in more than one-third of children having to wait several years for treatment.
She added that the figures do not include children who are already receiving treatment. Anxiety remained the most common reason young people sought mental health support, accounting for 16 percent of all referrals. During the same period, autism cases increased by nearly 50 percent within just one year.
It is important to note that these figures were obtained from the National Health Service.
Meanwhile, a government spokesperson told the media that a record investment of £16.1 billion in NHS mental health services this year would help ease the burden and ensure that more children receive the support they need.
