London: The number of children and young people attending A&E in the UK with mental health concerns has increased significantly, with the sharpest rise recorded among children as young as six, according to new figures.
Data obtained through a Freedom of Information request shows that 75,491 children and young people aged six to 17 attended emergency departments with a recorded mental health concern in 2025. This was 36 percent higher than the 55,525 attendances recorded in 2019, highlighting growing pressure on emergency healthcare services.
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) has described the increase as ‘unacceptable,’ warning that more children are reaching a point of mental health crisis before receiving the appropriate support.
Younger children see fastest increase
According to an RCPCH report analysing NHS England data, the fastest growth has been among children aged six to nine. The number of A&E attendances involving children in this age group increased by 62 percent between 2019 and 2025, rising from 3,870 to 6,269.
The figures have raised particular concern because of the increase among younger children, with the RCPCH warning that children’s mental health needs must be addressed earlier rather than waiting until they require emergency treatment.
Longer waits in emergency departments
The data also shows that children experiencing mental health difficulties are spending considerably longer periods in A&E. The number of children and young people who remained in emergency departments for more than 12 hours increased by 217 percent, rising from 1,964 cases in 2019 to 6,235 in 2025.
There was an even larger increase among those waiting more than 72 hours. The number rose by 514 percent, from just 55 cases in 2019 to 338 in 2025.
Dr. Sam Jones, RCPCH officer for mental health, noted that the figures represent children experiencing distress as well as families who may have been unable to find another source of support.
Jones added that emergency departments provide an important safety net but were not designed for children experiencing mental health crises to remain in for several days. He warned that the healthcare system is facing increasing pressure and called the situation a national crisis requiring urgent action from the government and NHS leaders.
Calls for urgent government action
Dr. Ronny Cheung, RCPCH officer for health services, said the figures should serve as a warning to the government, particularly given the growing number of younger children reaching a mental health crisis.
Cheung called for children’s mental health to become a central part of plans aimed at improving young people’s future health, opportunities and quality of life. The officer also urged the Prime Minister and Health Secretary to set out urgent measures to address the situation.
The RCPCH has stressed that children should be able to access appropriate mental health support before their difficulties become severe enough to require emergency care.
Government outlines support plans
Responding to the figures, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said children should not have to reach crisis point before receiving the help they need. The department said it is working to make mental health support more accessible in schools and colleges, allowing young people to receive assistance earlier.
It also highlighted plans to open more than 150 new mental health facilities, including community centres that will provide same-day, walk-in support for young people. The government said these measures are intended to bring support closer to children and help them receive assistance before their mental health problems require emergency treatment.
The Department of Health and Social Care added that its Mental Health Strategy, due to be published later this year, will set out its long-term plans to create a system that intervenes earlier and reduces the number of young people who ultimately require emergency care.
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