Crisis by Default: When Mental Health Services Fail Children in Need A 36% increase in children and young people attending A&E units for mental health crises between 2019 and 2025 is a stark statistic.
Many of these vulnerable children have nowhere else to turn when struggling with their mental health, as they are often only considered "unwell enough" to qualify for support once they've reached a crisis point.
The lack of community based support services is the primary issue here. Emergency departments become the default option for families and carers who feel overwhelmed because there's a shortage of accessible care. Dr.