In 2021, a NHS survey showed nearly 1 in 5 of 6- to 16-year-olds in England had a probable mental health disorder. The survey also found that almost 40% had experienced a deterioration in mental health since 2017 and 13.5% of 11- to 16-year-olds felt their lives had been made ‘much worse’ by COVID-19 restrictions. Some children with mental health issues are having to wait a very long time to start treatment. In 2020–21 the average waiting time for children to start treatment for their mental ...

In 2021, a NHS survey showed nearly 1 in 5 of 6- to 16-year-olds in England had a probable mental health disorder. The survey also found that almost 40% had experienced a deterioration in mental health since 2017 and 13.5% of 11- to 16-year-olds felt their lives had been made ‘much worse’ by COVID-19 restrictions. Some children with mental health issues are having to wait a very long time to start treatment. In 2020–21 the average waiting time for children to start treatment for their mental health at different health bodies issues ranged from 6 days to 81 days, with more than 22,000 (5%) of children and young people waiting more than 12 week Type: conclusion | Number: 17 | Response status: not_addressed Government response: 5: PAC conclusion: We are extremely concerned about the waiting time for children to receive support for mental health issues and about the proportion of adolescent girls seeking help. 5: PAC recommendation: Government should report back to the Committee within s