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Number of children as young as six going to A&E in mental health crisis rises, new figures reveal
The college said 75,491 children attended emergency departments with mental health concerns in 2025, as waits over 72 hours rose to 338.
- In 2025, 338 children waited more than 72 hours in English emergency departments for mental health support, a sharp increase from 55 in 2019, according to the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health .
- NHS England data indicates a 36% rise in mental health-related emergency attendances since 2019, with 75,491 children seeking help last year as the RCPCH warned that more young people are reaching crisis point.
- The RCPCH figures show 6,235 children spent more than 12 hours in A&E during 2025, while among the youngest children, attendances surged to 6,269, a faster rate of increase than any other age group.
- Dr. Sam Jones, RCPCH officer for mental health, said "Behind every one of these figures is a child or young person in distress," while Gemma Byrne of the mental health charity Mind called long waits "simply unacceptable."
- Later this year, the government plans to release a new Mental Health Strategy aiming to open more than 150 new facilities to provide early, community-based support and reduce emergency department reliance for young people.
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Number of children as young as six going to A&E in mental health crisis rises, new figures reveal
According to an analysis of NHS England data by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), there's been an "unacceptable" rise in the number of children and young people attending emergency departments with mental health concerns.
·United Kingdom
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Evening Standard+3 Reposted by 3 other sources
Children as young as six seeking help for mental health crisis
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health is warning that ‘more children are reaching crisis point’.
·London, United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources9
Leaning Left4Leaning Right1Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution45% Left, 44% Center
Bias Distribution
- 45% of the sources lean Left, 44% of the sources are Center
45% Left
L 45%
C 44%
11%
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