THERE has been a huge rise in the amount of mental health therapy provided to York children since the start of the pandemic. York health leaders say they must take action quickly to reduce the long term impact of the pandemic on the mental health of the next generation. NHS data reveals that the number of mental health treatment sessions delivered to under-18s rose by 37 per cent in the past year, for Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). City leaders have set up an action group to tackle a surge in demand for mental health support from residents of all ages, as a result of illness caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.