The vast majority (96.2%) of young people referred to local primary mental health services were assessed within 28 days, the Govermment said.

Sarah Murphy, 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.'

New initiatives include: the 111 press 2 service for urgent mental health support which has now received over 230,000 calls; a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services specification to ensure young people receive the same quality of support wherever they live; and the NYTH/NEST framework which brings services together to deliver more joined-up, nurturing support for children and families.

In addition, over 200 organisations are now engaged through the NEST community of practice and co-produced training has seen over 500 professionals learning about children's rights and the NEST principles of whole system support for mental health.