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Rising Number of Young Children Seeking Mental Health Help at A&E
Confirmed
In Short: The number of six to 17-year-olds attending A&E for mental health concerns has risen by 36% since 2019, with children as young as six now seeking help for issues like self-harm and eating disorders.
The number of six to 17-year-olds turning up at A&E in significant distress for mental health concerns, such as self-harm and eating disorders, or in emotional crisis, rose by 36% between 2019 and 2025, according to the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health analysis.
In 2025, there were 75,491 attendances at A&E by children and young people for a mental health concern, with cases including those brought in by families, carers, and police who found children in emotional crisis becoming aggressive or having challenging behavior.
Dr. Sam Jones, an officer for mental health at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said there was a lack of wider mental health care and crisis support available in many parts of the country, leading to these vulnerable children and young people not getting the help they needed.
Dr. Jones also highlighted the need for greater investment in children's mental health services and better training for staff from key agencies across health, social care, and education to help children struggling with their mental health.
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- The number of six to 17-year-olds turning up in significant distress for things like self-harm and eating disorders, or in emotional crisis, rose by 36% between 2019 and 2025, according to the Royal College of…
- The analysis – based on figures provided under the Freedom of Information Act by NHS England – found there were 75,491 attendances at A&E by children and young people for a mental health concern in 2025.
- Doctors said the cases included children and young people brought in by families, carers and police – some of those in emotional crisis become aggressive or have challenging behaviour.
- RCPCH officer for mental health Dr Sam Jones said there was a lack of wider mental health care and, in particular, crisis support available in many parts of the country that meant these vulnerable children and young…
- She said alongside greater investment in children's mental health services, staff from key agencies across health, social care and education needed better training in helping children who are struggling with their…
- Dr Mark Buchanan, of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said children and young people facing a mental health crisis were ending up in A&E by "default".
- She said children were not getting the support they need early enough.
- She said expanding the network of young future hubs, which bring together a range of support covering mental health, employment, sports and volunteering, was a crucial step.