Mental health crisis in England as children as young as SIX seek help

Rising numbers of children in mental health crisis have been increasingly turning up at Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments in England, according to recent data analyzed by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH). Between 2019 and 2025, the number of six to 17-year-olds attending A&E units due to mental health concerns surged by 36%. In 2025 alone, there were 75,491 attendances, compared to 55,525 in 2019. Some of the most dramatic increases occurred among younger children, particularly those aged six to nine, whose attendances jumped by 62%. The situation has led to prolonged waits for treatment, with over 6,200 children, around 8% of all attendees, waiting more than 12 hours in A&E. In some cases, children spent multiple days in emergency departments before receiving appropriate care. These delays have raised serious concerns among medical professionals, who argue that A&E units are ill-suited for treating children experiencing mental health crises. Dr. Sam Jones, an RCPCH officer for mental health, emphasized that behind each statistic lies a real-life story of a child in distress and a family struggling to find adequate support. She stated that emergency departments, while essential for immediate care, were never intended to serve as long-term solutions for children in mental health crisis. “This is a national crisis that will only get worse without urgent intervention,” she warned. The RCPCH’s findings highlight a broader systemic issue: a lack of community-based mental health resources and crisis support. Many families, unable to access timely assistance, resort to A&E as a last option. According to the analysis of NHS England data, some children became aggressive or exhibited challenging behavior during their stays, complicating their care further. Doctors noted that these cases often involve children brought in by families, carers, or even the police. Dr. Mark Buchanan, of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, described the trend as children and young people “ending up in A&E by default.” He stressed that they require care in environments specifically designed to meet their needs. Gemma Byrne of the mental health charity Mind echoed this sentiment, calling the current system “unacceptable.” She pointed out that children often receive support only when they are deemed “unwell enough,” which means critical help is delayed until a crisis point is reached. Efforts to address the growing demand include the government’s planned publication of a new mental health strategy later in the summer. However, officials have highlighted existing initiatives, such as the expansion of mental health teams in schools and the creation of over 150 new mental health hubs located in community spaces like libraries and banks. A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care reiterated that “no child should have to reach crisis point before getting the support they need.” Despite these measures, experts remain concerned. Claire Evans of Anna Freud, a mental health charity focused on children and families, called the statistics “deeply concerning.” She urged the government to ensure the new strategy prioritizes children’s mental health and invests in accessible, community-based support. “The new mental health strategy must place children at its heart,” she said. As the government prepares to unveil its strategy, the pressure mounts to overhaul the current system. With more children arriving in A&E in mental health crisis and waiting for extended periods, the need for comprehensive reform has never been clearer. The challenge now is to translate awareness into action, ensuring that children receive the support they need before reaching crisis point.