Number of children and young people under 18 supported by mental health services

This chart shows the number of children and young people supported by mental health services over the prior twelve months. The figures, based on at least one contact with services, can be examined from a national perspective or at ICB level. You can also compare data with up to five other areas.

Policy context

The NHS Long Term Plan included a commitment to increase the number of children and young people aged between 0 and 25 accessing NHS mental health services by 345,000 compared to the 2019 baseline figure. This formed part of the goal to ensure that over the decade to 2029 all CYP who needed access to specialist care could receive it.

The initial target date for this increase was the end of 2023/24, however factors such as the pandemic caused a delay and the metric was included in the 2025/26 priorities and operational planning guidance for the NHS, published in January 2025.

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