More than 1 million children were referred to mental health services across England in 2024-25, a 10% increase from the previous year, according to the Guardian. The number of active referrals was almost double the figure recorded in 2018-19. The number of children and young people accessing treatment for mental health conditions rose by 27% from September 2021 to September 2024, according to rcpsych.ac.uk. At the end of September 2024, 352,682 children and young people under 18 were waiting for a first contact with NHS mental health services, rcpsych.ac.uk reported.

In England, 19.2% of child and adolescent consultant psychiatrist posts were vacant, and the total vacancy rate, including locum coverage, was 36.8%, according to rcpsych.ac.uk. The primary reason for referrals to children’s mental health services is anxiety, according to the Mirror. Some children have waited years for mental health support they urgently need, the Mirror reported.

Black children and ethnic minority children in England are less likely to access mental health services, and when they do, they are often in crisis and past the point of prevention, according to the Children’s Commissioner. Over half of all Childline counselling sessions in 2024/25 related to mental or emotional health and wellbeing, according to the NSPCC. Negative experiences such as abuse and neglect can adversely impact a child's mental health, the NSPCC reported.