The number of six to 17-year-olds attending Accident and Emergency (A&E) units in England has seen a sharp rise in recent years, with NHS doctors warning of a growing mental health crisis among children and young people. The data, based on figures provided under the Freedom of Information Act, reveals that the number of attendances

According to the analysis, the total number of A&E visits This represents an increase of more than 100% in just three years, with some patients facing waits of over 12 hours for treatment. Doctors are warning that the current system is not equipped to deal with the growing number of mental health crises among young people, and that emergency departments were never designed to be a place where children in mental health crisis wait for extended periods.

"behind every one these figures

"Behind every one of these figures is a child or young person in distress and a family who didn't know where else to turn," said Dr Sam Jones, RCPCH officer for mental health. "Emergency departments are a vital safety net, but they were never designed to be a place where children in mental health crisis wait for days at a time." Dr Jones emphasized that there is a lack of wider mental health care and, in particular, crisis support available in many parts of the country, which means these vulnerable children and young people are not getting the help they need.

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She highlighted the need for greater investment in children's mental health services, as well as staff training in helping children who are struggling with their mental health.

"Children deserve care within systems and settings that are designed to meet their needs," said Dr Mark Buchanan, of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine. "The current system, where many mental health services only provide support when young people are considered 'unwell enough' to qualify, clearly isn't working." He emphasized the need for early intervention and expansion of the network of young future hubs, which bring together a range of support covering mental health, employment, sports, and volunteering.

The government is planning to publish a new mental health strategy later in the summer, but critics argue that more needs to be done to address the growing crisis.

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"No child should have to reach crisis point before getting the support they need," said Claire Evans, of Anna Freud, a mental health charity for children, young people, and families. "The new mental health strategy must place children at its heart, creating the conditions for lifelong positive mental health and accelerating investment in accessible, community-based support." The figures are deeply concerning, with more than 6,200 patients waiting over 12 hours in A&E, a stark reminder of the need for urgent intervention to address this growing crisis.

As one patient's story highlights, "Gemma [the child] was making them spend more than 12 hours there is simply unacceptable." The lack of support and resources available to young people has left many families feeling lost and without options.