Emergency departments are increasingly becoming the last resort for children and young people experiencing mental health crises, including self-harm, eating disorders, and emotional distress. Experts warn that emergency care settings are not designed to provide the sustained support these vulnerable individuals require, leading to prolonged waits and inadequate care.
Dr. Sam Jones, an officer for mental health at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), described the situation as a "national crisis" that will worsen without immediate intervention. She emphasized the lack of accessible mental health care, particularly crisis support, across many regions. "Behind every one of these figures is a child or young person in distress and a family who didn't know where else to turn," Jones stated. "Emergency departments are a vital safety net, but they were never designed to be a place where children in mental health crisis wait for days at a time."
Dr. Mark Buchanan of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine noted that children and young people facing mental health emergencies are ending up in accident and emergency (A&E) departments by "default," asserting they "deserve care within systems and settings that are designed to meet their needs."
Gemma Byrne from the mental health charity Mind highlighted the distress caused by lengthy stays in A&E for young people in crisis. "A&E can be a frightening environment for anyone in mental health crisis, let alone a child. Making them spend more than 12 hours there is simply unacceptable," she said. Byrne also pointed out that support is often not provided early enough, and the current system's threshold for qualifying for services means help is only offered when young people are already severely unwell.
Charities are advocating for increased investment in children's mental health services and enhanced training for staff across health, social care, and education sectors to better assist struggling youth. Gemma Byrne suggested that expanding the network of "young future hubs," which consolidate support for mental health, employment, sports, and volunteering, is a critical step forward.
Claire Evans of the Anna Freud Centre, a mental health charity, echoed these concerns, stating that the new mental health strategy must prioritize children by fostering conditions for long-term positive mental health and accelerating investment in accessible, community-based support.
In response to the growing crisis, the Department of Health and Social Care indicated that improvements are underway. The government plans to publish a new mental health strategy later in the summer and has already invested in mental health teams for schools. Additionally, over 150 new community-based mental health hubs are being established in locations such as libraries and former bank buildings. A spokesperson for the department stated, "No child should have to reach crisis point before getting the support they need."