New report reveals, children as young as six going to A&E in mental health crisis

A new analysis by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) reveals that over 75,000 children and young people aged 6 to 17 attended A&E departments in England for mental health concerns in 2025—marking a 36% jump since 2019.

The Freedom of Information data sourced from NHS England highlights a troubling trend: the sharpest increases are occurring among the youngest cohort, children aged six to nine. Overall attendances for emotional crises, self-harm, and eating disorders far outstrip general A&E growth, which rose by just 8% over the same period.

Severe Wait Times and Systemic Gaps

Thousands of children face prolonged distress while waiting for care. The analysis shows that over 6,200 young patients—roughly 8%—waited more than 12 hours in A&E, with some stranded for upwards of 72 hours for appropriate psychiatric support or a safe bed.

Doctors, carers, and police frequently bring children to emergency rooms because community safety nets have collapsed. RCPCH officer for mental health Dr. Sam Jones emphasized that emergency rooms were never designed to hold children in crisis for days at a time.

Mental health charities echo these concerns. Gemma Byrne of Mind noted that A&E is a frightening environment for young people, calling the prolonged waits unacceptable. Critics point out that current systems often deny care until a child is severely ill, making early intervention nearly impossible.

Government Response and Next Steps

The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the severity of the issue, stating that no child should reach a breaking point before receiving help. Officials highlighted ongoing investments, including mental health teams in schools and over 150 new community hubs located in accessible areas like libraries and banks. A broader mental health strategy is scheduled for publication later this year to overhaul early intervention and reduce emergency room reliance