‘Astonishing’ number of children in England with anxiety shocks even professionals

Even for those who see children with anxiety in the NHS every day, the figures are staggering.

“They really do make your jaw drop,” said a doctor who worked in children’s mental health in the north of England. “Of course we’ve seen an increase in demand, but to see these figures in black and white … it’s extremely shocking.”

An investigation by The Guardian published on Tuesday found that the number of children referred to NHS mental health services in England for anxiety disorders has reached an all-time high.

In 2023-2024, 204,526 children were referred to mental health services because anxiety was the primary cause.

Although almost twice as many organisations submitted data last year (171) compared to seven years ago (62), the increase in referrals is still extraordinary. In 2016-17 there were just 3,879 referrals, according to a Guardian analysis of NHS data.

“The huge increase in the number of young people struggling with their mental health is one of the greatest societal issues of our time,” said Laura Bunt, chief executive of children’s mental health charity YoungMinds.

The figures highlight the huge numbers of children suffering from anxiety, often without support or treatment, and the scale of the task for those charged with helping them. “The impact of this on the young person and those around them can be devastating, but this is also a huge problem for society,” Bunt said.

Fear is the biggest concern voiced by callers to the YoungMinds parent helpline. But there is no single factor that explains the increase in referrals.

“We know that growing up is incredibly hard for many people these days,” Bunt said. “The pressures are mounting due to the cost of living, devastating wars, the climate emergency and unaffordable housing.

“When you add to that intense academic pressure and an uncertain future, it’s no wonder that more young people than ever before are struggling with their mental health.”

Children who have had a stressful or traumatic experience, such as a car accident or a house fire, may experience anxiety afterward. Family quarrels and conflicts can also leave children feeling insecure and anxious.

A young person who had suffered from anxiety since age 13 said he was afraid of harming his family: “I was afraid of spreading germs and dirt.

“I had a panic attack when I dropped some food on the floor, worried that someone would have an allergic reaction. It kept me awake for days.”

Referrals for anxiety disorders have doubled since the year before the Covid-19 pandemic, The Guardian found, with 98,953 referrals made in 2019-20.

Julia Clements, lead educational psychologist at children’s mental health charity Place2Be, said the impact of the pandemic – the illness and the disruption – should not be underestimated.

“The pandemic and subsequent world events of the past few years have been trying for many, including children and young people, and the increase in referrals to mental health services for anxiety disorders is therefore not surprising.”

Many of the doctors, NHS officials and healthcare leaders interviewed expressed concern that while much attention had been paid to raising awareness around children’s mental health, less attention had been paid to ensuring the health service could help those in need.

Dr Elaine Lockhart, chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ faculty for children and adolescents, said: “Mental health services are struggling to cope with rising demand. The result is that many of the children referred for anxiety disorders are on unacceptably long waiting lists.

The danger is that this could lead to further damage at a crucial time in their lives, Lockhart said.

The government has tried to expand services for children with anxiety in recent years, but there is still not enough support available. Opening more early support centres and recruiting more staff in schools and the NHS so that children can access support in their communities when they need it will be crucial.

“The urgent need for better mental health care for young people has never been greater,” Bunt said. “The systems around young people are failing them. Whether it’s school or mental health, these systems are overstretched, underfunded and unable to meet the demands of modern life.”

The priority for ministers and the NHS should be to give the health service the resources it needs to meet rising demand – and ensure every child with anxiety is treated quickly and compassionately.

In addition, a focus on prevention is essential, which means addressing the causes of childhood anxiety. However, with so many factors at play, this is easier said than done.