Children and young people across Wales are receiving quicker access to mental health services, as new figures show a significant and sustained improvement in waiting times.
According to the latest data, 96.2% of young people referred to local primary mental health services were assessed within 28 days, marking a major step towards more responsive and accessible care.
This progress reflects the ambitions set out in Wales’ 10‑year Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, which aims to transform how young people receive support, including the introduction of more open‑access services and streamlined pathways for early intervention.
Health boards across the country have introduced alternatives to hospital admissions, trialling new models of care designed to create safe, young‑person‑centred spaces for those in need of immediate support. These pilots provide alternatives at moments of crisis, reducing pressure on hospitals while ensuring young people receive the right care at the right time.
The 111 press 2 urgent mental health support service has also seen substantial use, receiving over 230,000 calls to date. Notably, more than 6% of callers are under 18, and more than 20% are under 24, underscoring the importance and reach of this dedicated helpline.
A new Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services specification has been introduced to ensure that young people receive the same standard of support no matter where they live in Wales. All health boards are now working toward meeting this national standard, which aims to reduce variation in care and improve outcomes for children and young people.
Sarah Murphy, Welsh Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, said:
“Children's Mental Health Week is an important moment to reflect on the progress we're making to support young people across Wales.
“We want every child to receive mental health support when they need it most. The improvements we're seeing in waiting times, alongside the growing success of our NYTH/NEST framework and our ambitious 10-year strategy, show our whole-system approach is making a real difference.
“By focusing on prevention and early intervention, we are working to create a Wales where every child and young person can thrive.”
This sits alongside continued progress with the NYTH/NEST framework, which brings together services from across Wales to provide nurturing, joined‑up support for children, young people and families. More than 200 organisations are now part of the NEST community of practice, while co‑produced training has helped over 500 professionals learn about children’s rights and whole‑system mental health support principles.
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