Young people’s mental health referrals reach half a million

Referrals to Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) reached an all-time high of more than half a million by the end of December 2023, new figures analysed by health charity Mind show.

The data, published by the NHS, also shows that 452,725 people were in contact with children and young people’s mental health services at the end of December. At the same time, 270,268 people were in contact with learning disabilities and autism services.

Survey data from the NHS has also revealed that the cost-of-living crisis is disproportionately impacting young people with mental health problems. Nil Guzelgun, policy and campaigns manager at Mind, said: “The growing number of young people seeking support for their mental health was already a concerning trend before the pandemic, but the increase since 2020 demonstrates just how impactful traumatic events like a global pandemic and a brutal cost-of-living crisis have been for young people’s mental health.”

Half of mental health conditions develop by age 14

The figures coincide with a letter from the Association of Mental Health Providers to health secretary Victoria Atkins calling for long-term, sustainable investment in school-based mental health support. 

The letter, signed by CEOs of nearly 30 mental health charities, says that one in five children face a probable mental health condition. It cites a YouGov survey, which found that over 50% of children face barriers from seeking mental health support, despite struggling, because they are embarrassed, fearful or will not turn to someone they do not know.

The writers add: “Around half of mental health conditions develop by the age of 14, so supporting children early on is vital. Yet only 8% of NHS mental health spending goes on children’s services. The Government’s school-based Mental Health Support Teams will only reach 50% of pupils by 2025.”

The letter goes on: “Place2Be, alongside other leading organisations, has worked in schools and supported children for decades, providing them with a safe place to be themselves, where they can talk in confidence with a trusted, trained mental health professional. This equips them to manage their emotional challenges and feel connected. They are also more likely to stay in education.”

It concludes by emphasising the importance of listening to young people and committing to  “long-term, sustainable investment in school-based support.”

Robert Buckland, a Conservative MP supported the call for better mental health help for children. In an article for The House, he said that “our current mental health provisions for young people are insufficient and we have been unable to keep up with the rising demand”.

Buckland added that the rollout of the government’s mental health support teams was “arguably too slow to keep up with the increasing number of mental health issues”. He called on ministers to significantly expand the scheme by making sure every primary and secondary school in the country has a qualified mental health professional. “Every child, no matter where they come from or what school they attend, should be able to access reliable and appropriate mental health treatment,” he said.

Spike in stress and anxiety amongst students

The rise in mental health problems among the young is also the focus of a literature review carried out in the US which showed that, during the Covid pandemic, university students were at high risk for mental health disorders, heightened stress, and increased sleep comorbidities. The review, which drew on research from a number of countries, identified several trends directly resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. These included “fear of contamination, a rise in OCD, a decline in personal interactions, and long hours pursuing online learning.”

The review also identified several “indirect stressors” caused by Covid-19, including “financial hardships, decreased sleep quality, rise in pre-existing anxiety, depression, and stress. “The authors say that according to pre-pandemic data, “direct and indirect stressors have contributed significantly to an overall spike in stress and anxiety” adding that women were more likely to experience an increase in mental health symptoms during the pandemic.