New NHS data shows that there has been a 54% increase in the number of under-18s undergoing mental health treatment or waiting to start care in the last two years.
In February 2020, the figure stood at around 272,000 children and young people. This had reached 411,000 in January this year and the latest figures for February 2022 show that it has now hit 420,000.
The figures refer to under-18s who are under the care of child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) or waiting to see a specialist. It is the highest number ever recorded and there are fears that already-stretched CAMHS will be overwhelmed.
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