England's Child Mental Health Referrals Surge Past One Million, Commissioner Calls it a 'Crisis'

England's children's commissioner, Rachel de Souza, has declared a national 'crisis' in young people's mental health as referrals to services surpassed one million for the first time.

New data shows active referrals to children and young people's mental health services in England exceeded one million in 2024-25. This represents a nearly 10% jump from the previous year and is almost double the figure from 2018-19. Anxiety is the leading cause, accounting for 16% of all referrals.

The report highlights severe pressure on the system, with over 60,000 children waiting more than two years for support-a significant increase from the prior year. Experts warn that long waits for treatment can lead to mental health deterioration, forcing reliance on crisis and emergency services.

Increased demand is also being driven by referrals for suspected autism and neurodevelopmental conditions. These children often face the longest waits for care. The commissioner's office emphasizes that improving children's wellbeing requires a coordinated approach across health, education, and social care systems.