Child mental health A&E visits in England rise 36% since 2019, youngest up 62%
Unbiased summary
According to analysis by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) based on NHS England data, there were 75,491 A&E attendances by 6-17 year olds for mental health concerns in 2025, up from 55,525 in 2019, a 36% increase. Attendances among 6-9 year olds rose 62%, from 3,870 to 6,269. Some children faced waits over 12 hours, with hundreds waiting up to three days. RCPCH doctors warned that A&Es are not suitable for these children and cited a lack of community support. The government said it would set out plans to improve services.
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Coverage by outlet
The Guardian
left
Angle
Presents a science explainer on the link between inflammation and mental health, citing expert opinions and research.
Bias
The Guardian's article does not address the RCPCH A&E data at all. It focuses on potential biological mechanisms, with quotes from Professor Daniel Davis and studies on cytokines. By omitting the immediate crisis of children's mental health services, it avoids commentary on NHS pressures and instead offers a long-term research perspective. This is not a deviation from the story but a completely different topic.
The Mirror
centre-left
Angle
Emphasises a 'national crisis' and 'deeply alarming' rise, framing it as a government failure.
Bias
The Mirror uses emotive language like 'crisis', 'deeply alarming', 'wake-up call', and 'damning indictment'. It highlights the youngest children's increase and long waits, but omits any critical perspective on whether these are true mental health conditions. It focuses on the system's failure to provide timely care, aligning with a left-wing critique of underfunded services.
BBC News
centre-left
Angle
Provides a factual, measured report of the RCPCH analysis, including government response and context.
Bias
BBC News presents the data without sensational language, noting that the increase outpaces overall attendances. It includes the RCPCH's concern and the government's promise to improve services. It also mentions that some cases involve aggressive behaviour. It does not include critical quotes like the Sun's, so it stays neutral but may underplay the policy debate.
Daily Mail
right
Angle
Frames the rise as a 'scandal' and 'damning' indictment of the healthcare system, with a focus on government inaction.
Bias
The Daily Mail uses strong language such as 'scandal', 'soared', 'deeply alarming', and 'record numbers'. It highlights the waits of days and the government-commissioned review. It does not include any alternative viewpoint questioning the validity of mental health diagnoses in young children. This aligns with a right-wing tendency to criticise NHS bureaucracy and demand accountability, but it omits the complexity of the issue.
The Sun
right
Angle
Reports the data but includes a critical medical voice questioning whether young children have mental health crises, suggesting over-medicalisation.
Bias
The Sun includes a quote from retired child psychiatrist Sami Timimi who says 'Six to nine-year-olds do not have mental health crises', arguing that behaviour problems are being pathologised. This provides a contrasting narrative that the other outlets omit. The Sun also includes the same statistics but adds a 'How to get help' section, balancing criticism with practical advice. However, this framing may downplay the severity of the children's distress by focusing on cultural phenomena.