EMERGENCY MENTAL HEALTH REFERRALS FOR CHILDREN IN ENGLAND SURGE

Fri 03 January 2025:

The number of children referred to emergency mental health services in England has risen sharply, with figures revealing a 10% increase in urgent cases in just a year.

Lengthy National Health Service (NHS) waiting lists for routine mental health care are being blamed for pushing vulnerable young people into crisis, according to a recent data analysis by the mental health charity YoungMinds.

Between April and Oct. 2024, there were 34,793 emergency, very urgent, or urgent referrals to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) crisis teams, compared to 31,749 during the same period in 2023.

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YoungMinds highlighted that many of the children requiring emergency care were experiencing severe mental health challenges, including suicidal ideation and serious conditions such as eating disorders.

Despite their urgent needs, many have been stuck on NHS waiting lists for months or even years, exacerbating their conditions.

The data showed that between April and Oct. 2024, there were 4,424 new very urgent referrals to crisis care teams, up 13% from 3,912 in the same period in 2023, 24,886 new urgent referrals, marking a 13% rise from 22,045 the previous year and 5,483 emergency referrals, a 5% decrease compared to the same period in 2023.

While emergency referrals saw a slight decline, the surge in urgent and very urgent cases has overwhelmed crisis care teams.

YoungMinds has expressed deep concern over these findings, emphasizing the urgent need for increased funding and resources for NHS mental health services.

-Source: AA

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