In 2021, a NHS survey showed nearly 1 in 5 of 6- to 16-year-olds in England had a probable mental health disorder. The survey also found that almost 40% had experienced a deterioration in mental health since 2017 and 13.5% of 11- to 16-year-olds felt their lives had been made ‘much worse’ by COVID-19 restrictions. Some children with mental health issues are having to wait a very long time to start treatment. In 2020–21 the average waiting time for children to start treatment for their mental health at different health bodies issues ranged from 6 days to 81 days, with more than 22,000 (5%) of children and young people waiting more than 12 weeks.43 The proportion of adolescents known to be in contact with secondary mental health services is far greater for girls than for boys (Figure 1).44 For example, 18% of 16- year-old-girls are in contact with mental health services, compared to 11% for boys. The Department for Education told us that the prevalence of eating disorders had increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly amongst young girls.45 Figure 1 – Proportion of population known to be in contact with secondary mental health services by gender and age group in England, 2020–21 NOTES