Concern over ‘alarming’ rise in youngsters going to A&E for mental health help
The number of children and young people going to A&E with mental health problems has rocketed, official figures show.
Data published by the Department of Health and Social Care reveals the number of youngsters arriving at emergency departments with a psychiatric condition rose from 9,372 in 2010-11 to 27,487 in 2017-18.
The 193% spike has sparked fears across the sector, which is a national priority championed by Prime Minister Theresa May.
Emma Thomas, chief executive of the charity YoungMinds, said children and young people often go to A&E because they have nowhere else to turn.
She added: “It is alarming that there has been such a sharp rise in young people arriving in A&E needing support for their mental health.
“One of the main reasons that crisis services are overstretched is that young people who are struggling don’t get help soon enough, which means that problems often escalate.”
She said the long-term plan for the NHS, due to be published next month and setting out how the extra £20.5 billion a year by 2022-23 promised by Mrs May will be spent, must pledge new cash for children and young people’s mental health services.
Right now, we’re calling for more safe places where children and young people can go in a crisis, such as safe havens in the community, so that they are no longer forced to rely on A&E. Join our fight for a new era for young people’s mental health https://t.co/F0sFNmEeiFpic.twitter.com/4lJxnWRpUf
— YoungMinds (@YoungMindsUK) October 24, 2018
Ms Thomas added: “The problem is that A&E can be a crowded and stressful environment, and is often not the most appropriate place for children and young people to go in a crisis.
“That’s why the new NHS long-term plan must lead to increased funding for children and young people’s mental health services, and also a new approach to crisis care.”
The figures emerged following a parliamentary question from Labour MP for Enfield Southgate Bambos Charalambous.
Mr Charalambous said the statistics are “devastating”, and he added: “I hope the Government and the NHS take stock and provide the desperately needed funding for children and young people’s mental health services.”
The figures show the number of under-18s attending A&E with a first diagnosis of a psychiatric condition has risen every year since 2010-11.
Attendances due to intentional self-harm rose from 18,291 to 21,904 during the same period, a 19% increase.
