Children's Mental Health Crisis Worsens in England, with Thousands Facing Long Waits for Support

The Children's Commissioner for England highlights a significant increase in demand for mental health services among children, with many waiting years for assistance.

• More than 270,000 children and young people were still waiting for mental health support at the end of 2022-23, with some waiting over two years.
• Demand for children's mental health services has more than doubled since the pandemic, with nearly 1 million referrals in 2022-23.
• Children's Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza calls for urgent action to address the crisis, emphasizing the unique challenges faced by this generation.
• NHS England is treating more young people than ever before, but demand continues to outstrip capacity, leading to long waits for many.
• Experts call for increased government support and funding to improve access to mental health services for children.

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