Mental health has become one of the most pressing concerns in the United Kingdom, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, heightened economic pressures, and dramatic social disruption. According to analyses, demand for mental health support among children, adolescents and adults has surged—referrals have increased, severity of cases has worsened, and access to care has strained under limited resources. At the same time, many people are waiting months, even over a year, to receive assessment or treatment via the National Health Service (NHS). As the Guardian and Primary Care 24 report, these delays disproportionately affect younger people who suffer from depression, anxiety or at risk of self-harm. As highlighted by The WP Times, understanding current statistics and the roles of telemedicine and digital tools is essential for both policymakers and individuals seeking help.

In this article, we examine recent data on psychiatric and psychological service availability, specific challenges for youth (especially depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicide), the impact of waiting lists, and how technology and remote care are reshaping mental health service delivery. We also offer practical advice for anyone trying to access help in the UK today.

State of access: waiting times, resource gaps, and youth in crisis

Since the pandemic, there has been a sharp rise in demand for mental health services across the UK. Between September 2021 and September 2024, the number of children and young people accessing treatment increased by about 27%, from approximately 628,454 to 798,479. However, capacity has not kept pace: nearly one in five consultant psychiatrist positions in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) are now vacant.

Meanwhile, as of September 2024, more than 352,000 under-18s were waiting for a first contact with NHS-funded services; of those, about 10% have been waiting more than two years (i.e. at least 798 days).

A survey by the Care Quality Commission for 2023-24 revealed widespread reports that children and young people waited too long at all stages: for assessment, diagnosis, medicine, therapy. In some Integrated Care Board (ICB) areas, waits for second contact in children’s mental health services have medians of 35 days, but in others as long as 79 days. For those still waiting, median wait is about 142 days or mean wait around 359 days.

Urgent or emergency referrals for youth mental health are also rising. From April to October 2024, urgent, very urgent and emergency referrals to crisis care teams for children in England increased by 10% compared with the same period in 2023.

Adding to this, Adult services are under strain too. As of April 2024, approximately 1 million people were waiting for mental health services across ages. Among them, roughly 345,000 referrals had waited over a year for first contact. Young people under 18 make up a large proportion of that backlog—about 343,000, with about 109,000 of them waiting over a year.

Youth mental health: depression, anxiety, suicide risk and eating disorders

Children and adolescents are among the hardest hit by the mental health fallout from social isolation, school disruption, family stress, and economic uncertainty. Depression and anxiety have risen sharply, often alongside incidents of self-harm and suicidal ideation. Many young people who need help deteriorate while waiting for systems to respond.

Eating disorders have shown particularly alarming trends. Between 2019-20 and 2021-22, the number of young people completing urgent pathways for eating disorders increased by 72%. Urgent referrals were not being consistently met, despite targets aiming for 95% of children in need to receive urgent care within one week of referral. Many wait longer than allowed.

Self-harm and suicide attempts among young people have been linked to delays in care. Among respondents to recent surveys, those waiting the longest often report deteriorations, emergency care usage, and even contacts with police due to acute mental health crisis.

There is also concern about what happens when young people turn 18: many services cease, leaving older teenagers in a care transition gap. Some are told “no point” in starting treatment because of impending age cutoffs.

Systemic challenges: staffing, funding and geographic disparities

One major issue is the shortage of specialist staff. As mentioned, CAMHS consultant psychiatrist posts in England have a “true vacancy rate” above 30-35%. Many of these positions are filled by locums rather than permanent staff, which affects continuity of care.

Funding per child for mental health services varies dramatically by region: in past studies, per-child NHS spending ranged from £14 to £191 in different regions. Such disparities contribute to “postcode lottery” effects, where access depends heavily on where someone lives.

Waiting times vary not just by demand but also by local capacity. For example, in some areas, second contact wait is median around 35 days; in others, up to 79 days.

The impact of waits isn’t merely logistical: long waits correlate with clinical deterioration, increased risk of crisis, higher costs when finally treated, and in worst cases tragic outcomes such as suicide. A coroner’s inquest in one case revealed that a 17-year-old died while awaiting therapy in CAMHS.

Digital solutions and remote/tele-mental health care: promise and pitfalls

Given the access crisis, digital tools, telemedicine, remote therapy and online resources have become more central. NHS offers services like online cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), mental health apps, and telephone or video consultations. These can reduce geographic inequality and help people in remote or underserved areas.

However, digital care also faces challenges: not everyone has internet access or privacy at home; clinicians report difficulties assessing severity remotely; some therapies (e.g. for eating disorders or self-harm) require in-person contact, especially where observation or physical health monitoring is needed.

Youth friendly services often benefit from school-based mental health support teams (MHSTs). These provide early interventions in familiar environments. Early data suggests they help reduce waiting times and catch mild to moderate problems before they worsen. Still, many young people’s needs go beyond what MHSTs can provide, requiring specialist or inpatient care.

There is also innovation in using digital triage (e.g. initial self-assessment via apps), remote follow-ups, and blended therapy models. But scaling up these safely, ensuring regulation, privacy, clinician training, and quality remains a challenge.

What can people do — advice, resources, navigating the system

If you’re a young person, parent, or supporter trying to get help, here are actionable steps and resources, with examples and details:

  • Contact your GP early: even if it feels like symptoms aren’t severe, describe all concerns: anxiety, depression, self-harm risk. GPs can refer to CAMHS, psychological therapies, or community services.
  • Know your rights and targets: for example, urgent eating disorder pathways should aim to see a young person within one week; Know whether your local CAMHS or IAPT has stated waits.
  • Use school or college resources: many institutions now have MHSTs or access to counsellors; getting support there can reduce delay and provide early help.
  • Explore online/digital options: NHS approved apps, digital CBT, teletherapy can help in the short-term or when in-person options are overloaded. Be cautious about non-verified providers.
  • Crisis contacts: in emergencies, use NHS 111 or 999 as needed. Samaritans are free UK wide: 116 123. YoungMinds also provides helplines and online resources.
  • Private care if possible (but check costs): therapy via private psychologists, psychiatrists can be costly; assessments for ADHD, for example, can cost several hundred pounds. This may be an option if waiting lists are intolerable—but consider insurance, payment plans.
  • Advocate locally: write to local MPs, health boards to demand better staffing, investment, early intervention hubs in community and schools. Public pressure can shift priorities.

Policy responses and possible reforms

Government and NHS initiatives have begun to respond, but many say the response remains insufficient given the scale.

  • Recruiting thousands of additional mental health professionals has been pledged. For example, the Department of Health promised to recruit 8,500 more mental health workers.
  • Building early intervention hubs in every community or specialist professional access in schools to catch cases before crisis.
  • Setting and enforcing waiting time targets: for urgent cases, eating disorders, etc. Some targets are missed, or waits are longer than targets.
  • Use of digital and remote care models as supplements, not replacements. Ensuring funding, regulation, quality and equity in their implementation.

If reforms are successful, they could reduce waiting times, reduce crisis escalation, help more young people recover earlier, and distribute support more evenly across regions.

In sum, the UK is in the grip of a mental health access crisis, especially among its youth. Rising referrals, long waiting lists, staffing shortages, geographic inequality, and the growing severity of mental health conditions all point to a system under strain. Digital care offers promise but cannot alone resolve the structural deficiencies. For individuals, early action, seeking help where possible, knowing rights, using local and remote resources may help. But systemic investment, reform, and oversight are urgently needed to ensure mental health care is accessible, timely and effective for all.

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