10% Increase in Children Requiring Urgent Mental Health Care in England

New NHS data reveals rising crisis referrals for under-18s, with experts calling for systemic reforms to address root causes.

NHS data shows 34,793 urgent, very urgent, and emergency mental health referrals for children in England between April and October 2024, a 10% rise compared to the same period in 2023.
Referrals for 'very urgent' cases rose by 13%, while 'urgent' cases also saw a 13% increase; 'emergency' referrals decreased by 5%.
Factors contributing to the crisis include the pandemic, cost-of-living pressures, academic stress, and the impact of social media, according to mental health experts.
YoungMinds charity and psychiatrists emphasize the need for early intervention and systemic reforms to prevent children from reaching crisis points.
The UK government plans to recruit 8,500 additional mental health workers and establish early support hubs and specialist professionals in schools to address the growing demand.