Anxiety has led to over a million child mental health referrals

More than 60,000 children who had been waiting more than two years for help, more than a third, were still waiting for treatment – an increase of more than 44,000 children from the previous year.

By 2024-25, fewer than one in five diagnosed with autism or neurodevelopmental conditions will receive treatment. They waited an average of one year for support.

Dame Rachel called the figures “staggering”, adding that while there had been some improvement, more children received support last year, it was hard to ignore the “huge challenge” facing mental health services as demand outstripped system capacity and funding.

She said there was a need for a change in approach with a focus on integrated services to “ensure that children are getting the help they need in schools and in the community across health, education and social care”.

The charity Young Minds said it was concerned about the additional barriers and waiting times some were facing, particularly for black and minority children and young people, and for services with suspected autism or neurodevelopmental conditions.

The figures show that black and Asian children are under-represented in referrals and are more likely to experience severe distress or crisis when referred.

One in four black children referred to child and youth mental health services are referred as being in crisis, compared to 16% of Asian children and 7.4% of white children – raising questions about why some ethnic minority children are not getting help earlier.

15% of the 10% most deprived children in England are referred, and 7.6% are from the least deprived areas.

If you are suffering from anxiety or depression, details of help and support in the UK can be found at BBC Action Line