Mental health referrals for young people hits record high

Analysis of NHS data by the mental health charity Young Minds has discovered that the number of mental health referrals and children in mental health crisis is at an all-time high

Urgent referrals of under 18s hit over 3,000 in April this year, making it the first month on record to reach over 3,000. The figure has since increased, with 3,732 referrals in May, equating to more than three times the amount recorded in May 2019 prior to COVID-19.

“Three times the amount recorded in May 2019 prior to COVID-19”

46% increase in crisis mental health referrals

 Young Minds found that urgent mental health referrals to mental health crisis teams were up by 46% from 2022. Equating to 21,555 urgent referrals in the year up until March 2023.

NHS monthly data has further revealed that in addition to the urgent referrals, the number of people under 18 waiting to start care or undergoing treatment has reached a new record of 466,250 open referrals to mental health services in May.

Where is the support for young people and children?

The children’s commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, said: “I am really concerned about these latest figures. We must make sure that support is available to children early, that there is a focus on support before issues escalate, and that care is available to all children who need it and in a timely manner.”

The data corresponds with the publication following a report of the government’s promised major conditions strategy.

The strategy consists of aiming to manage cancer, musculoskeletal conditions, chronic respiratory diseases, mental ill health and dementia more effectively. The final major conditions strategy is not expected to be released until 2024. This strategy will effectively replace a cross-government mental health plan, which was meant to be published earlier this year.

Young Minds said abandoning the mental health plan has “further delayed government action for young people’s mental health” and that the new strategy “falls far short of what’s needed”.

“falls far short of what’s needed”

Lack of governmental support for rising mental health referrals

“The interim report on the major conditions strategy fails to provide any clarity on how the government plans to tackle the growing emergency in young people’s mental health,” said the charity’s chief executive Laura Blunt.

“It does not cite mental health as a main concern for young people’s health, nor does it provide any confidence that this strategy will improve mental health services for young people.

“Young people’s mental health needs to be at the heart of this strategy, and we need to see a clear plan on how they are going to drive down prevalence.”

Young people’s mental health needs to be at the heart of this strategy

The chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ faculty of child and adolescent psychiatry, Dr Elaine Lockhart, said the mental health crisis was having “a devastating impact on the wellbeing of our children and young people”.