England children's mental health crisis faces rising demand and service gaps

A new national study and a report from the Future Minds campaign have highlighted a deepening mental health crisis among children and young people in England.

The Growing Up in the 2020s study, led by the Anna Freud charity, found that 25% of Year 8 pupils are likely to have a probable mental health condition. The research, which follows nearly 8,000 students in state secondary schools, noted that girls (28%) and children eligible for free school meals (36%) are more likely to experience these difficulties compared to their peers.

Simultaneously, the Future Minds report warns that England’s mental health system is at risk of being overwhelmed. The coalition of charities estimates that almost four million additional referrals could occur before the end of the current Parliament. Current trends suggest that over 1.1 million children could miss out on necessary treatment, with young people potentially spending a combined 1.3 million years waiting for support.

The report criticizes government progress, awarding ministers a verdict of “Requires Urgent Improvement.” It notes that while 2.7 million referrals have been made since the last General Election, less than 1% of total NHS spending in England is currently allocated to children and young people’s mental health services.