The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on children’s mental health has been profound, with a significant increase in referrals for anxiety among young people in England. According to official figures, more than 500 children a day are now being referred to NHS mental health services for anxiety, which is more than double the rate before the pandemic began. This surge in referrals highlights the urgent need to address the crisis in children’s mental health and ensure timely access to appropriate treatment.
The Alarming Increase in Referrals
In the year 2023-24, there were a staggering 204,526 new referrals of patients aged 17 or under where anxiety was cited as the primary cause. This is a significant increase from the 98,953 referrals recorded in 2019-20, just before the onset of the pandemic. The data from 2016-17, where only 3,879 referrals were made, further emphasizes the exponential growth in anxiety-related referrals among children in recent years.
The current rate of referrals for anxiety in children in England stands at one every three minutes, with almost 4,000 referrals made each week. This surge in demand for mental health services has put a strain on the capacity of the health service to provide timely treatment for anxiety, leading to thousands of children being placed on “unacceptably long” waiting lists. The delays in accessing treatment not only exacerbate the children’s anxiety but also pose a risk to their overall well-being during a crucial stage of their development.
Factors Contributing to the Rise in Anxiety
Experts attribute the increase in anxiety referrals among children to a variety of factors. These include intensifying academic pressures, particularly related to exams, the pervasive influence of social media and cyberbullying, growing concerns around appearance, widening inequalities, rising poverty levels, and the ongoing cost of living crisis. The cumulative effect of these stressors has created a challenging environment for children, contributing to the rise in anxiety levels.
The disruption caused by the pandemic has further compounded the challenges faced by children, amplifying existing pressures and uncertainties. More than four years since the initial impact of Covid-19, many children continue to grapple with feelings of unease about the world around them and concerns about their future. The prolonged effects of the pandemic have had a lasting impact on children’s mental health, underscoring the need for comprehensive support and intervention strategies.
Expert Perspectives and Calls for Action
Andy Bell, the chief executive of the Centre for Mental Health, highlighted the urgency of addressing children and young people’s mental health in light of the escalating referrals for anxiety. He emphasized that the stark figures only represent a fraction of the children affected, as many do not seek help despite increasing awareness. This underlines the need for proactive measures to reach those who may be struggling silently.
Emma Paveley, an interim assistant director of the NHS Confederation’s mental health network, expressed concern over the significant rise in anxiety referrals among children and young people. She acknowledged the challenges faced by mental health services in meeting the growing demand for care, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic and the associated economic difficulties.
Doctors and mental health experts on the frontlines echoed these sentiments, noting a noticeable increase in children presenting with symptoms of anxiety and related mental health conditions. Dr. Victoria Tzortziou Brown, a vice-chair of the Royal College of GPs, emphasized the rising trend of anxiety among young patients seeking medical help. Dr. Elaine Lockhart, the chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ child and adolescent faculty, highlighted the dramatic rise in anxiety cases witnessed by healthcare professionals in recent years.
Challenges in Accessing Timely Treatment
Despite heightened awareness and improved pathways to mental health support, many children are facing prolonged waits for anxiety treatment. The overwhelming demand for care has outstripped the capacity of mental health services, resulting in children being placed on extended waiting lists for treatment. This delay in accessing timely intervention can lead to further complications and entrenched difficulties for children, requiring more intensive and prolonged treatment.
Health officials and experts have called for urgent action to address the long waiting times for anxiety treatment and develop a comprehensive plan to tackle the underlying causes of children’s deteriorating mental health. Claire Murdoch, NHS England’s national mental health director, emphasized the need for expanded services to meet the record demand for mental health support among children and young people. Initiatives such as the deployment of mental health teams in schools aim to provide accessible care to those in need.
In conclusion, the significant increase in NHS referrals for anxiety among children post-Covid underscores the pressing need to prioritize children’s mental health and enhance support services. As the impact of the pandemic continues to reverberate, addressing the root causes of anxiety and ensuring timely access to treatment are critical steps in safeguarding the well-being of young individuals. By working collaboratively across healthcare, education, and community sectors, we can create a supportive environment for children to thrive and overcome mental health challenges.