REFERRALS to children and young people’s mental health services hit a record high in March, with average waiting times also reaching record levels, new figures show.

Some 932,822 people under 18 had an active referral to mental health services in March, including 134,837 new referrals — both the highest figures ever recorded for a single month, according to analysis by the charity YoungMinds. 

New referrals were up 11 per cent from February and 2 per cent on the same time last year.

The average waiting time topped 300 days for the eighth consecutive month, standing at 301 days in March. 

In the worst cases, patients waited more than two-and-a-half years — 1,006 days — another record high.

YoungMinds interim chief executive Abigail Ampofo said the “alarming figures highlight the sheer scale of the mental health emergency,” saying: “We need more investment in mental health services, but we also need to tackle the root causes of poor mental health. 

“With a record number of young people being referred for support, we can’t wait until a long-term strategy is in place to turn things around.”

Around one in five eight to 25-year-olds have mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.