Rising Anxiety in Children and Young People in the UK
Anxiety among children and young people in the UK has reached alarming levels, with recent data revealing a dramatic rise in cases. As the spotlight on youth mental health continues beyond Mental Health Awareness Week, it’s becoming increasingly clear that we are facing a silent crisis—one that calls for urgent attention, early intervention, and access to effective, compassionate support. Behind each statistic is a young person struggling to cope in a world that often feels overwhelming, uncertain, and too fast to process.
📊 The Numbers Speak Loudly
The latest UK data shows a worrying escalation:
1 in 5 young people aged 8–25 are now experiencing a probable mental health disorder—including 20.3% of 8–16-year-olds and 23.3% of 17–19-year-olds.
NHS referrals for children and teens primarily struggling with anxiety have more than doubled since before the pandemic. In 2023–24, over 204,000 young people aged 17 and under were referred due to anxiety—that’s over 500 referrals every day.
Overall, 958,200 children and young people were referred to mental health services in 2024—around 8% of all children in England.
Of those, 270,300 were still waiting for support after being referred.
These figures don’t just reflect data points; they represent real lives, families under strain, and young people who may be suffering in silence. Many are dealing with panic attacks, disrupted sleep, avoidance of school, and physical symptoms of distress—without timely access to support.
🧠 What’s Causing the Rise?
There isn’t one single reason, but rather a combination of contributing factors:
Post-pandemic anxiety and disrupted routines
Pressure to perform academically and socially
The impact of social media, comparison, and cyberbullying
Reduced face-to-face interaction, especially during formative years
With services overstretched and waiting lists growing, many young people are being left in limbo at a time when early intervention could make all the difference.
🌱 How Can We Support Our Children?
While systemic change is needed, there are also meaningful steps parents, carers, and professionals can take now to help young people manage anxiety and build resilience.
✅ Practical Strategies Include:
Normalising open conversations about feelings and mental health
Encouraging regular movement, play, and rest
Limiting screen time—especially before bed
Supporting children to build routine and predictability
Seeking professional help early on when symptoms persist or escalate
🌿 Beyond Traditional Therapy: Alternative Approaches That Help
For many families, complementary therapies are becoming an empowering part of their journey. At Bonnie Silverback Hypnotherapy, we support young people using evidence-informed, trauma-sensitive approaches designed to gently reduce anxiety and rebuild emotional confidence.
Our toolkit includes:
Clinical Hypnotherapy – helping young minds access calm states, reduce overactive stress responses, and build new coping pathways.
IEMT (Integral Eye Movement Therapy) – a powerful technique that helps process stuck emotional responses linked to memories or triggers.
The BLAST Technique® – particularly effective for calming the emotional charge from distressing or traumatic experiences.
These approaches are non-invasive, solution-focused, and tailored to each child or teen’s unique needs. Many clients report feeling lighter, calmer, and more in control—even after just a few sessions.
💬 A Call to Awareness and Action
The mental health challenges facing young people are real, rising, and deeply concerning—but they are not irreversible. With the right support, children and teenagers can thrive. They can learn to regulate anxiety, feel safe in their bodies again, and reconnect with the world around them from a place of strength.
If you're a parent, carer, or educator worried about a young person in your life, you are not alone. Help is available, and things can get better.
