A Freedom of Information request showed a 36% increase in young people aged 6-17 attending A&E with a mental health concern since 2019. The sharpest rise was for 6–9-year-olds whose attendance increased by 62% from 3,870 in 2019 to 6,269 in 2025.

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

Dr Sam Jones, RCPCH officer for mental health, said: ‘This is a national crisis that will only get worse without urgent intervention from Government and NHS leaders. No child should be spending 12 hours or more in A&E let alone days to weeks while they wait for the right support. The scandal has to end.'

The College urged the Government to use the upcoming Mental Health Strategy to address the crisis in children's mental health with a greater focus on prevention, improved access to early support and community mental health services and strengthened crisis pathways so that fewer children reach crisis point, and those who do are seen quickly and safely. 

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Director of the NHS Alliance's mental health network, Rebecca Gray, said: ‘The Government's commitment to providing more mental health emergency centres as an alternative to A&E is an important step in the right direction, although most are unlikely to be able to meet the needs of children.

‘Open access to support through young peoples' hubs, crisis lines and dedicated services, often run in partnership with the voluntary sector, can better meet the needs of young people.

‘We need a strong emphasis on prevention and early intervention for younger children who are starting to show emotional and behavioural challenges.'

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘No child should have to reach crisis point before getting the support they need.

‘That's why we're making it easier to access mental health support in schools and colleges, and opening more than 150 new mental health facilities, including community centres offering same-day, walk-in support – to help young people get help earlier and closer to home.

‘Later this year, our Mental Health Strategy will set out our long-term plans to build a system that helps people earlier and ensures fewer young people end up needing emergency care.'