Why Are So Many Children Struggling with Anxiety? NHS Referrals Reach Record Highs
- Schoen Clinic UK
- Jun 16
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 17
Author: Dr James Woolley, Consultant Psychiatrist at Schoen Clinic Chelsea
Anxiety among children and young people in the UK has reached crisis levels. In 2023–24 alone, over 204,000 children were referred to NHS mental health services for anxiety, more than double the number seen before the pandemic. That’s the equivalent of one referral every three minutes, or more than 500 children a day in England. Even more striking, in 2016-17, there were only 3,879 such referrals.
These statistics reflect a dramatic rise in distress among young people, leaving families, schools and health services urgently searching for answers and solutions.
These figures have left even experienced mental health professionals shocked. As one doctor working in children's mental health services told The Guardian: "They really do make your jaw drop... Of course we have seen an increase in demand, but to see these figures in black and white... it's extremely shocking".
Find private CAMHS support in London at Schoen Clinic Chelsea today.
NHS Child Mental Health Referrals Are at Record Highs
The latest NHS England data reveals that one in five children and young people aged eight to 25 had a probable mental disorder in 2023. Among eight to 16-year-olds, 20.3% had a probable mental disorder, while the figure rises to 23.3% for 17 to 19-year-olds. This represents a sustained crisis that has continued at similar levels since the sharp increase between 2017 and 2020.
Dr Elaine Lockhart, Chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Child and Adolescent Faculty, explains: "We've seen a dramatic rise in the number of children and young people experiencing anxiety and other mental illnesses in recent years". She emphasises that anxiety can range from a normal response to stress to a clinical condition requiring professional intervention.
Why Is Anxiety Increasing in Children?
The pandemic has undoubtedly played a significant role in this crisis. As Dr Lockhart notes: "There are multiple reasons for children and young people to feel more anxious, including the pandemic, which caused significant disruption to their lives and made many of them feel worried about the future". However, experts point to additional factors, including the cost-of-living crisis placing pressure on families, social media influences, and general uncertainty about the future.
The Mental Health Foundation suggests that this crisis stems from deeper societal issues. They argue that many building blocks of good mental health – including housing, adequate income, and community support – have been eroded in recent years.
Signs of Anxiety in Children
Anxiety in children can present in many different ways and may not always be easy to spot. Some common signs include:
Physical complaints such as stomach aches, headaches, or feeling sick
Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares
Avoidance of school or social situations
Excessive worry, reassurance-seeking, or perfectionism
Irritability, restlessness, or tearfulness
Trouble concentrating or becoming easily overwhelmed
If these behaviours persist or begin to interfere with your child’s daily life, it could be a sign of an anxiety disorder that may benefit from professional support.
The Impact of Rising Anxiety in Children in 2025
While referral numbers have soared, the capacity to provide timely treatment has not kept pace. Mental health services are struggling to manage this unprecedented demand. Recent analysis shows that people on mental health waiting lists are eight times more likely to wait at least 18 months for treatment compared to those waiting for physical health care.
The situation is particularly concerning for vulnerable groups. Research shows that autistic children face significant barriers when seeking help from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), with many not referred or rejected without assessment due to diagnostic overshadowing and variable professional knowledge about autism.
School Mental Health Support: A Growing but Incomplete Solution
Despite these challenges, there are positive developments. NHS England has rolled out 398 Mental Health Support Teams within schools and colleges, covering 35% of pupils and learners in further education. A further 200 teams are in training and due to become operational by Spring 2025, ultimately covering over 50% of the country's pupils and learners.
The BBC's recent Wellbeing Week (10-16 May 2025) highlighted the importance of connection, sharing, and community in mental health support. The initiative featured content exploring the transformative power of talking, listening, and connecting, including insights into therapy and stories of recovery and resilience.
Early Intervention for Child Anxiety Is Crucial
Early intervention remains crucial. As Dr Lockhart emphasises: "It is therefore vital that we continue to improve and expand mental health support in schools and help children and young people with anxiety to get the support they need quickly". The expansion of school-based mental health services represents a significant step towards providing support where children spend most of their time.
Research suggests that universal school-based mental health interventions hold significant potential, particularly when developed collaboratively with young people themselves. These approaches can help prevent the onset of common mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and trauma-related difficulties.
What Needs to Change: A Coordinated Response to the Child Anxiety Crisis
The youth mental health crisis requires a coordinated response across multiple sectors. While increased awareness and expanding services are positive steps, Laura Bunt, chief executive of YoungMinds, describes "the huge rise in the numbers of young people struggling with their mental health" as "one of the biggest social issues of our time".
The government has committed to recruiting 8,500 more mental health staff to reduce waiting lists, but experts stress that addressing this crisis requires more than additional resources. It demands a fundamental shift towards prevention, early intervention, and addressing the social determinants that contribute to poor mental health.
For families and young people facing anxiety, it's important to remember that effective treatments exist and help is available. While waiting times remain challenging, school-based support services, online resources, and community initiatives can provide valuable assistance. The key message from mental health professionals is clear: anxiety is treatable, support is expanding, and no young person should face these challenges alone.
What Parents Can Do & When to Seek Help
If you’re concerned about your child’s anxiety, know that you’re not alone and that help is available.
What You Can Do:
Listen and validate: Create space for your child to talk and let them know their feelings are OK.
Stay calm and consistent: Anxious children often seek reassurance. Try to be supportive without over-accommodating their fears.
Maintain routines: Structure and predictability can help children feel safe.
Encourage coping strategies: Deep breathing, physical activity, and creative outlets can all be beneficial.
When to Seek Help:
If your child’s anxiety is persistent, worsening, or interfering with their home, school, or social life
If they are showing signs of panic attacks, self-harm, or withdrawal
If you're feeling overwhelmed as a parent and unsure how to help
You can speak to your GP, school counsellor, or seek private specialist support. At Schoen Clinic Chelsea, our child and adolescent mental health team offers expert assessment and evidence-based treatment for anxiety and related conditions.
About the author: Dr Woolley
Dr James Woolley is a highly experienced Consultant Psychiatrist at Schoen Clinic Chelsea, with particular expertise in treating mental health conditions that overlap with physical illness.
Trained at the Maudsley Hospital and Institute of Psychiatry, he combines evidence-based medication with psychological therapies such as CBT.
Dr Woolley also holds Fellowships with both the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Royal College of Physicians, and has published widely in leading scientific journals.
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Key References
1. Royal College of Psychiatrists Press Release (August 2024) - "Shocking rise in children needing treatment for anxiety"
2. Children's Commissioner for England Response (September 2024) - Official response to new NHS anxiety referral figures
3. The Guardian Investigation (August 2024) - "'Jaw-dropping' number of children in England with anxiety shocks even professionals"
https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/aug/27/jaw-dropping-number-of-children-in-england-with-anxiety-shocks-even-professionals#:~:text=A%20Guardian%20investigation%20published%20on,a%20primary%20cause%20of%20anxiety.
4. ITV News Analysis (February 2025) - "People '8 times more likely to wait a year-and-a-half' for mental health care"
5. BBC Wellbeing Week Announcement (May 2025) - Official BBC programme focusing on mental health connection and community
