- New report found nearly one in five primary school children are now experiencing a probable mental health disorder
- Children and young people in the North and Midlands are more likely to experience mental health difficulties than those in the South with 850,000 children having accessed NHS mental health support in 2025, while around 385,000 are still waiting for care,
- Demand for support is rapidly outpacing capacity, leaving hundreds of thousands of children waiting for help or unable to access specialist services
- University of Sheffield worked with Health Equity North on the Child of the North All-Party Parliamentary Group report, ‘Building a Preventative Mental Health System for Children and Young People’
A children’s mental health crisis risks creating a ‘lost generation’ with those from the North worst affected - a new report co-authored by the University of Sheffield warns.
The report, published by Health Equity North on behalf of the Child of the North All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), reveals that nearly one in five primary school children are experiencing a probable mental health disorder.
It also shows demand for support is rapidly outpacing capacity, with hundreds of thousands of children unable to access the help they need. A record 850,000 children accessed NHS mental health support in 2025, yet around 385,000 are still waiting for care, and one in four children referred for specialist mental health support are turned away.
The analysis highlights stark inequalities across the country, with children and young people growing up in disadvantaged communities, particularly across parts of the North of England, 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’, states that around one-third of adolescent mental health problems could potentially be prevented through action on child poverty.
Children with mental health difficulties are also three times more likely to miss significant amounts of school, highlighting the impact on educational outcomes and long-term life chances.
Jill Thompson, Senior Lecturer in Global Health & Wellbeing and Director of Research for School for Allied Health Professions, Pharmacy, Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Sheffield, said: “This report makes clear the importance of prevention in tackling the escalating rates of poor mental health amongst our children and young people. It also shines a light on the wonderful work of our voluntary and community sector in their efforts to develop preventative approaches for mental health. Yet this work requires sustained levels of investment to ensure continuity and that these opportunities reach all of our children and young people.”
Emma Lewell MP, Co-Chair of the Child of the North APPG, said: “Today’s mental health crisis among children and young people cannot be seen in isolation. It is closely linked to wider social and economic challenges, including rising school absence, exclusion, and increasing numbers of young people disengaging from education and employment."
“The impact of children missing school is particularly concerning as school disengagement is a key pathway into becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training). There is also a pressing need to ensure that NEETs have access to sustainable employment opportunities, alongside sufficient placement opportunities to support participation in education, skills development and vocational training. Poor mental health, absence and exclusion reinforce each other over time - leading to higher risks of unemployment, poorer health outcomes and reduced life chances in early adulthood.
“If we are serious about tackling youth unemployment and reducing the number of young people who are NEET, we must start by addressing children’s mental health and the inequalities that drive it.”
Hannah Davies, Executive Director of Health Equity North, said: “Children’s mental health is not just a health issue – it is a social and economic issue that requires coordinated action across society.
“Improving outcomes will require sustained investment in tackling child poverty, strengthening family support, improving inclusion and belonging in schools, and rebuilding youth and community services. These are not ‘nice to have’ interventions – they are critical to preventing problems before they escalate.
“This report makes clear that without early, coordinated action, we risk experiencing a lost generation, with a cycle of disadvantage that will affect not just individuals, but our economy, education system and communities for years to come. The evidence is also clear that with the right investment in prevention, we can change the trajectory and give more children the chance to thrive.”
Professor Pamela Qualter, Director of Research (SEED) at the University of Manchester, and lead report author, said: “Research shows that mental health inequalities begin very early in life, often before a child is even born. We see higher rates of perinatal mental health difficulties among parents in parts of the North, and these challenges can have lasting impacts on children’s emotional development and wellbeing.
“Children’s mental health is shaped by the environments and services that support them - including family circumstances, poverty, housing, and access to support. These factors accumulate over time, increasing the likelihood that some children face multiple and reinforcing disadvantages.
“If we want to reduce mental health inequalities, we need to think much earlier and much more holistically. Supporting parents, families and communities is one of the most powerful ways we can improve outcomes for children and prevent problems from escalating later in life.”