The mental health crisis among children and young people in England is a pressing issue that demands immediate attention and action. The current state of affairs is a stark reminder of the failures within the NHS mental health services, which are struggling to provide adequate support for those in need. The situation is particularly dire for those in acute distress, who are facing long waits in A&E units, often lasting up to three days or more, before being admitted to a specialist unit. This is a deeply concerning trend, and it is high time we address the root causes and find solutions to this crisis.
One of the most alarming aspects of this situation is the increasing reliance on medication to sedate children and manage their behavior while they are stuck in A&E. This is a clear indication of the breakdown in the system, where children are being treated like patients in a hospital rather than receiving the specialized care they need. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has rightly highlighted this as a catastrophic system-wide failure, emphasizing the need for a more proactive approach to mental health support for children and young people.
The RCN's freedom of information requests have revealed a disturbing trend in the number of under-18s in mental health crisis forced to wait at least 12 hours before being admitted to a mental health unit. The number has more than trebled from 237 in 2019 to 802 in 2025, which is a clear indication of the growing demand for mental health services and the failure of the system to keep up with this demand. The fact that three trusts have reported children and young people waiting three days or more in A&E is a stark reminder of the urgency of the situation.
The reasons for this crisis are multifaceted. Firstly, the nature of mental health problems among children and young people is changing fast. Problems are becoming more complex and severe, and more younger children are being affected. Rates of self-harm and eating disorders are continuing to rise, which is a cause for grave concern. Secondly, the system is not equipped to handle the growing demand for mental health services. The NHS has expanded mental health services, but the expansion has not kept pace with the increasing need, leading to long waits and inadequate support for those in crisis.
The RCN and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) are right to urge ministers and NHS bosses to speed up the rollout of a planned network of mental health emergency units. This is a crucial step towards addressing the crisis and providing the necessary support for children and young people in mental health crisis. However, this is just one part of the solution. We need to take a step back and think about the broader implications of this crisis and how we can address them.
One thing that immediately stands out is the need for a more holistic approach to mental health support for children and young people. This includes not only specialized care in mental health emergency units but also early intervention and prevention strategies. Mental health support teams are being rolled out in schools, which is a positive step towards providing earlier help and prevention. However, we need to do more to ensure that these teams are adequately resourced and supported, and that they are able to provide the necessary care and support to those in need.
Another important aspect of this crisis is the need for a more compassionate and understanding approach to mental health care. A&E units are not the right place for children and young people in mental health crisis, and the long waits and inadequate support they receive can often exacerbate their trauma. We need to find alternative solutions that provide the necessary support and care in a more appropriate and supportive environment. This may include specialized units or community-based support services that are designed to meet the unique needs of children and young people in mental health crisis.
In my opinion, the mental health crisis among children and young people in England is a wake-up call for the entire system. It is a clear indication of the failures within the NHS mental health services and the need for a more proactive and compassionate approach to mental health care. We need to take a step back and think about the broader implications of this crisis and how we can address them. By doing so, we can ensure that children and young people in mental health crisis receive the necessary support and care they need, and that the system is better equipped to handle the growing demand for mental health services.
