Increase in children needing treatment for severe mental health crises

According to new NHS data analysed by YoungMinds, there has been an increase in the number of children across England needing specialist treatment for severe mental health crises.

Overall there has been a 10 per cent rise in emergency, very urgent and urgent referrals for under-18s, with the total increasing to 34,793 between April and October 2024, up from 31,749 in the same period the previous year.

The rise comes amid ongoing efforts to improve mental health support in schools, which started with the introduction of mental health support teams (MHST) in schools under the previous Conservative government.

Laura Bunt, chief executive at YoungMinds, said the data underlines why it is so important that investment is made in supporting children in crisis as soon as possible.

“Early support would help prevent many young people from becoming more unwell, but instead their mental health is deteriorating, pushing them into crisis and, in some instances, putting young people’s lives at risk,” she said.

In response to the data, the Department of Health and Social Care said: “Too many children and young people are waiting too long to access the mental health care they need. We will recruit 8,500 additional mental health workers, provide young people with access to a specialist mental health professional in every school and a Young Futures hub in every community. As part of our Plan for Change, we will get the NHS back on its feet, making it fit for the future.”