The Children’s Society warns that about two-thirds of young people do not receive appropriate mental-health support, urging mental-health support to be a national priority and for earlier intervention to prevent crises.

The review chaired by Professor Peter Fonagy concludes that many people wait too long for assessment and access to broader support, creating a barrier to timely help.

The report offers ten recommendations for government and local systems, addressing prevention, early intervention, integrated support, workforce reform, stronger regulation, better data, and a cross-government mental-health strategy.

The Government responds by pledging a shift toward earlier, needs-led support for children, young people, and adults to reduce long waits for clinical diagnosis and to keep youths engaged in school and work.

An independent UK review into mental health conditions, ADHD, and autism finds long delays in NHS access for children and young people in England, with over one million open referrals and more than 60,000 waiting over two years in a single year.

Fonagy stresses that diagnosis should not be the sole entry point to help and calls for early community intervention while safeguarding specialist care for those with severe needs.

Mind’s chief executive Dr Sarah Hughes says the review marks a watershed moment for change, echoing ongoing concerns about rising demand for youth mental-health support.

The July report Walking Into Nothing estimates about 1.2 million ten- to 17-year-olds are significantly struggling, with more than two-thirds not receiving help, highlighting the need for community-based early-support hubs outside school terms.

On World Mental Health Day, The Children’s Society reports that 28% of parents wouldn’t know where to turn for their child’s mental health support during school holidays.