Admissions of children with serious mental health issues have surged, with self-harm and eating disorders being major contributors, a new study warns

Child mental health admissions to acute hospital wards in England have surged by 65% over the past decade, with self-harm and eating disorders being major factors, according to a study published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health. In 2021/22, nearly 40,000 children aged 5 to 18 were admitted to general medical wards for mental health reasons, a significant rise from around 24,000 in 2012/13.

The increase is far outpacing the rise in general hospital admissions, which grew by just 10.1% during the same period. Dr Lee Hudson, senior author of the study from UCL, emphasised that this sharp rise highlights a critical gap in the current understanding of child mental health care, particularly in acute settings. These wards, designed for general medical conditions, are increasingly forced to handle cases involving both physical and mental health crises, such as malnutrition from eating disorders.

Self-harm was the leading cause of mental health admissions, accounting for over 50% of the cases, while eating disorders alone saw a significant rise in admissions, from 478 in 2012 to nearly 3,000 by 2022. The study also pointed to a concerning increase in mental health issues among younger children, especially girls aged 11 to 15.

Dr Karen Street from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health described the 65% increase as “alarming,” noting that it reflects the growing mental health crisis among children and young people. The pandemic, social inequality, and online harms have been identified as key factors contributing to the escalating crisis.

Notably, the study also found that 13.4% of the children admitted for mental health reasons were readmitted within six months, suggesting ongoing challenges in managing long-term mental health conditions.

Dr Hudson highlighted that while the pandemic exacerbated the crisis, the increase in admissions has been a gradual trend since 2012. The research indicates that acute wards will continue to play a vital role in addressing the mental health needs of children, underscoring the urgent need for better resources and training for hospital staff to meet the growing demand.

In response to the rising admissions, NHS mental health director Claire Murdoch stressed the importance of providing “intense specialist support” for children when necessary. She noted that the NHS had expanded mental health services, including crisis support and mental health teams in schools, but acknowledged that some children still require hospital care to ensure their safety and well-being.