More than one million children in England were referred to mental health services in 2024-25 – a 10% rise in a year and almost double the number in 2018-19, according to a report by the Children's Commissioner.
Anxiety was the most common reason for referral, accounting for 16% of all cases. Suspected autism referrals surged by nearly 50% in a single year to over 96,000, while other neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD and Tourette's syndrome rose by almost a quarter.
“More than one million children in England were referred for mental health care in 2024-25, with anxiety the most common reason.”
Despite the surge in demand, over a third of children were still waiting for treatment. More than 60,000 had waited over two years for help – up from over 44,000 the previous year. Among those with suspected autism or neurodevelopmental conditions, fewer than one in five went on to receive treatment in 2024-25. Those who did waited, on average, a year for support.
Children's Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza, who compiled the report from NHS data, described the figures as "stark". While she acknowledged some improvements – more children received support last year – she said it was hard to ignore the "colossal challenge" facing mental health services, where demand outpaces system capacity and funding. She called for a shift in approach, with greater focus on joined-up services "across health, education and social care to ensure children are getting the help they need in schools and the community".
The charity YoungMinds said it was extremely concerned about additional barriers and waiting times for some groups, particularly black and racially minoritised children and young people, as well as those referred with suspected autism or neurodevelopmental conditions.
Official figures show black and Asian children are underrepresented in referrals, and when they are referred, they are much more likely to be in severe distress or crisis. One in four black children directed to mental health services were referred for being in crisis, compared with 16% of Asian children and 7.4% of white children – raising questions over why some ethnic minority children are not receiving help earlier.
Deprivation also plays a role: children from the poorest 10% of areas in England made up 15% of referrals, compared to 7.6% from the least deprived areas.