Children facing mental health 'crisis' as referrals reach over one million

The number of young people being referred for mental health treatment in England has risen to more than a million, according to analysis of NHS data by the children's commissioner.

The figure covers the 12 months to March 2025 and represents roughly one in 10 children - almost double the number recorded in 2018-19.

Dame Rachel de Souza said in her annual report, published on Monday, that she was "in no doubt that we are facing a crisis" in young people's mental health.

Here are some of the key statistics:

• Referrals for children's mental health services rose almost 10 percent in a year
• More than one in three children were still waiting for treatment
• Over 60,000 children were waiting over two years for help, 15,000 more than the year before
• The typical waiting time for support was 128 days
• Demand has been partly linked to suspected autism and neurodevelopmental conditions

Ms de Souza said the data from NHS England about Children and Young People's Mental Health Services (CYPMHS) "clearly demonstrates the sheer scale of distress young people are facing today".

She continued: "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.

"While there have been some encouraging signs, with more children receiving support last year, it is hard to ignore the colossal challenge facing mental health services, as demand outpaces system capacity and funding."

The children's commissioner for England said there appears to be "no straightforward answers to what is driving the rise in referrals, and that there may be different answers depending on the conditions being considered".

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The data showed the biggest annual increase in referrals was for suspected autism, which rose 47%.

This was followed by a 24% increase in other neurodevelopmental conditions, while anxiety cases were up 12%.

Figures show 1,048,965 children had active referrals to CYPMHS in the 12 months to March 2025, and were either awaiting or getting treatment.

The data does not include children already being treated at the beginning of the 12-month period.

The figure is almost double the 563,639 referrals recorded in 2018-19 and reflects a 9.5% rise in the last year alone.

The report added that real-term spending on CYPMHS increased by two percent to £1.1bn in 2024-25, but this compares with an almost 10 percent increase in referrals, highlighting that spending is not keeping up with rising demand.

Ms de Souza has recommended that the government develops a strategy to address the causes of poor mental health and wellbeing, along with reforming the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system in England.

:: Dame Rachel de Souza, Children's Commissioner for England, is a guest on Mornings with Ridge and Frost at 8.15am on Monday

(c) Sky News 2026: Children facing mental health 'crisis' as referrals reach over one million