Health experts warn that children’s mental health in England has reached crisis levels, as a new report reveals children in the North are more likely to experience mental health difficulties than those in the South, according to a new report led by The University of Manchester.
Nearly one in five primary school children are now experiencing a probable mental health disorder - more than double the rate in 2011 – according to analysis published today by Health Equity North on behalf of the Child of the North All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG).
Children and young people growing up in disadvantaged communities, particularly across parts of the North of England, are more likely to experience cumulative adversity, poorer wellbeing, and reduced access to support.
The report, ‘Building a Preventative Mental Health System for Children and Young People’, shows that demand for support is rapidly outpacing capacity, leaving hundreds of thousands of children without help.
The report shows:
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Around one-third of adolescent mental health problems could potentially be prevented through action on child poverty.
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A record 850,000 children accessed NHS mental health support in 2025
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Around 385,000 children are still waiting for mental health support.
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Children with mental health difficulties are three times more likely to miss significant amounts of school, highlighting the impact on educational outcomes and long-term life chances.
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One in four children referred for specialist mental health support are turned away.