England facing children’s mental health ‘crisis’ as referrals hit 1m

England faces a children’s mental health 'crisis' as referrals to mental health services for young people surpassed 1 million in 2024-25, marking a 10% rise from the previous year and nearly double the number in 2018-19. The children’s commissioner, Rachel de Souza, called for an overhaul of state support after reporting the surge in referrals.