The mental health charity YoungMinds’ analysis of NHS data reveals that the levels of children experiencing mental health crises in England have reached unprecedented peaks.
In May, urgent referrals of individuals under 18 to mental health crisis teams surpassed 3,500 for the first time, a threefold increase compared to May 2019. Over the year leading up to March 2023, urgent referrals to mental health crisis teams amounted to 21,555, marking a 46% rise from 2022, as discovered by the charity.
These cases encompass children exhibiting the most severe Mental health crises symptoms, who would otherwise potentially require hospitalization due to issues like psychosis, severe self-harm, or suicide attempts.
Beyond the 3,732 urgent referrals, the monthly NHS data also reveals that the number of children and young people undergoing treatment or waiting for care reached new records. In May, there were 466,250 open referrals to Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
Laura Bunt – YoungMinds
Laura Bunt, Chief Executive of YoungMinds, stated that these figures reflect “a broken system and a government that has disregarded the voices of young people calling for change.”
“We are currently in a Mental health crises emergency, and the government must take decisive action to address the scale of this crisis. Many young individuals must endure months or even years before they can access assistance, while mental health service referrals are denied to others who do not meet the criteria. We should not leave any young person waiting for help while their mental health worsens.
Concurrently with this data release, an interim report on the government’s pledged major conditions strategy was published. This strategy aims to better manage various health conditions, including mental ill health, cancer, and dementia. YoungMinds criticized the decision to abandon the 10-year mental health plan, which authorities had initially planned to release earlier in the year. The organization noted that the new strategy does not adequately address the essential measures.
Laura Bunt remarked, “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. 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.”
In response to these findings, Munira Wilson, the Liberal Democrat education spokesperson, called for immediate action. She asserted, “It is shameful that thousands of children in dire need of help are struggling to access mental health services. This cannot go on.”
