NHS emergency departments see more children in mental health crisis
Hospitals in England are treating rising numbers of young people for self-harm, eating disorders and severe distress, with some patients as young as six.
NHS emergency departments in England are seeing more children and teenagers arrive in mental health crisis, including cases involving self-harm, eating disorders and intense emotional distress. Some of the patients are as young as six, according to BBC reporting based on NHS data and clinical accounts.
The increase is putting extra pressure on A&E teams, which are often the first point of contact when families cannot get help elsewhere. The cases reflect wider strain in children’s mental health services, where demand has grown and access to specialist support can be limited.
The BBC said the trend is part of a broader rise in young people needing urgent care for psychological problems. It also noted that emergency departments are increasingly dealing with situations that would previously have been managed in community or specialist settings.
The figures add to concern about the state of child and adolescent mental health provision in England, where hospitals continue to absorb more of the burden when earlier support is unavailable.
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