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Rachel V Thomas

Mental Health Emergency Visits Among Children Aged 6-9 Rise 62% In England

Mental Health Emergency Visits Among Children Aged 6–9 Rise 62% In England

The NHS is seeing a significant rise in emergency department visits among children aged 6-9 for <span>mental health</span> issues in <span>England</span>, according to an alarming new report.

According to an analysis by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), the rise has been fastest among the youngest children. 

Attendances among 6–9-year-olds increased by 62% between 2019 and 2025, rising from 3,870 to 6,269. The report said this was the fastest rate of increase among all age groups. 

“This is [a] faster rate of increase than any other age group. This finding is particularly worrying given the vulnerable nature of young children’s neurodevelopment and the potential of suffering for those children longer term without early intervention,” the report stated.

NHS England data also shows a 36% rise in mental health-related emergency attendances since 2019. 

<h2>Children Reaching A&amp;E In Mental Health Crisis </h2>

Children and young people are turning up at emergency departments in significant distress, including cases involving self-harm, eating disorders and emotional crises.

The figures, obtained by the RCPCH through a Freedom of Information request submitted to NHS England in April 2026, show that 75,491 children and young people aged 6–17 attended emergency departments with a recorded mental health concern in 2025. 

This represents a 36% increase from 2019, when there were 55,525 such attendances. 

<h2>Children Waiting Hours In Emergency Departments </h2>

The data also shows a growing number of children becoming, in effect, stuck in emergency departments while waiting for appropriate mental health support and a safe place to be discharged to. 

The number of children and young people staying more than 12 hours in A&amp;E rose by 217%, from 1,964 in 2019 to 6,235 in 2025. 

Within this group, the number staying for more than 72 hours rose by 514%, from 55 in 2019 to 338 in 2025. 

Dr Ronny Cheung, RCPCH Officer for Health Services, said the figures should serve as a wake-up call for the government. 

“This must be a wake-up call for government. The growing number of children reaching crisis point with their mental health is deeply alarming, particularly among younger children. Without urgent action to provide support earlier, we risk storing up serious problems for the future, including more young people falling out of education, employment and training, where poor mental health is already a major driver.”

<h2>Government Plans <span rel="noindex">New Mental Health Strategy</span> </h2>

The government said it was looking to improve services and would be setting out plans soon. It is planning to publish a new mental health strategy later in the summer.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said improvements were already being made, including investment in mental health teams for schools and more than 150 new mental health hubs in community locations such as banks and libraries. 

“No child should have to reach crisis point before getting the support they need,” he said, according to the BBC.

<h2>Over 1 Million Children Referred For Mental Health Support </h2>

More than one million children in England had active referrals to mental health services in 2025, with anxiety remaining the leading reason for seeking support, according to a report published in June. 

The annual report by Children’s Commissioner <span>Rachel de Souza</span> warned that England is facing a growing children’s mental health crisis.

New data for 2024–25 shows that 1,048,965 children had an active referral to Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services (CYPMHS) — nearly double the number recorded in 2018–19 and almost 10% higher than the previous year. 

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The NHS is seeing a significant rise in emergency department visits among children aged 6-9 for mental health issues in England, according to an alarming new report. According to an analysis by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), the rise has been fastest among the youngest children. Attendances among 6–9-year-olds increased by 62% between 2019 and 2025, rising from 3,870 to 6,269. The report said this was the fastest rate of increase among all age groups. “This is [a] faster rate of increase than any other age group. This finding is particularly worrying given the vulnerable nature of young children’s neurodevelopment and the potential of suffering for those children longer term without early intervention,” the report stated. NHS England data also shows a 36% rise in mental health-related emergency attendances since 2019. Children Reaching A&E In Mental Health Crisis Children and young people are turning up at emergency departments in significant distress, including cases involving self-harm, eating disorders and emotional crises. The figures, obtained by the RCPCH through a Freedom of Information request submitted to NHS England in April 2026, show that 75,491 children and young people aged 6–17 attended emergency departments with a recorded mental health concern in 2025. This represents a 36% increase from 2019, when there were 55,525 such attendances. Children Waiting Hours In Emergency Departments The data also shows a growing number of children becoming, in effect, stuck in emergency departments while waiting for appropriate mental health support and a safe place to be discharged to. The number of children and young people staying more than 12 hours in A&E rose by 217%, from 1,964 in 2019 to 6,235 in 2025. Within this group, the number staying for more than 72 hours rose by 514%, from 55 in 2019 to 338 in 2025. Experts Calls For Urgent Action Dr Ronny Cheung, RCPCH Officer for Health Services, said the figures should serve as a wake-up call for the government. “This must be a wake-up call for government. The growing number of children reaching crisis point with their mental health is deeply alarming, particularly among younger children. Without urgent action to provide support earlier, we risk storing up serious problems for the future, including more young people falling out of education, employment and training, where poor mental health is already a major driver.” Government Plans New Mental Health Strategy The government said it was looking to improve services and would be setting out plans soon. It is planning to publish a new mental health strategy later in the summer. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said improvements were already being made, including investment in mental health teams for schools and more than 150 new mental health hubs in community locations such as banks and libraries. “No child should have to reach crisis point before getting the support they need,” he said, according to the BBC. Over 1 Million Children Referred For Mental Health Support More than one million children in England had active referrals to mental health services in 2025, with anxiety remaining the leading reason for seeking support, according to a report published in June. The annual report by Children’s Commissioner Rachel de Souza warned that England is facing a growing children’s mental health crisis. New data for 2024–25 shows that 1,048,965 children had an active referral to Children and Young People’s Mental Health Services (CYPMHS) — nearly double the number recorded in 2018–19 and almost 10% higher than the previous year. 

mental health emergency visits among children aged 6-9 rise 62% in england

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