Are crisis responses for children and young people effective? [Video]

Edwards et al. (2024) provide an “elf-ing” hand in understanding crisis mental health support for children and young people (CYP)!

In England between December 2019 and April 2021, there was a 47% increase in new emergency referrals to Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMH) crisis care teams (Lewis, 2021). As the waiting times for mental health support increase, it is unsurprising that more CYP present in crisis(Lancet, 2020). The current demands on community mental health services mean that whilst hospitalisation rates for most paediatric conditions decrease, the number of admissions to child and adolescent inpatient mental health units are increasing (Torio et al., 2015). Mental health inpatient admissions can provide vital, intensive care for CYP – however, it is widely recognised that safe avoidance of hospital admission is favourable (Alderwick & Dixon, 2019; Edwards et al., 2015). Concerns have been raised about the impact of restrictive practices, use of …