Edwards et al. (2024) offer valuable insights into crisis mental health support for children and young people (CYP). Recent data from England shows a significant increase in emergency referrals to Child and Adolescent Mental Health crisis care teams, indicating a growing need for timely support (Lewis, 2021). Due to long waiting times for mental health services, more CYP are presenting in crisis situations, leading to increased demand for emergency care and inpatient admissions (Lancet, 2020; Torio et al., 2015).
While inpatient admissions can be crucial for intensive care, it is widely understood that avoiding hospitalization is preferred for the long-term well-being of CYP (Alderwick & Dixon, 2019; Edwards et al., 2015). Concerns have been raised about the use of restrictive practices, the Mental Health Act, and medication for CYP admitted to hospitals, highlighting the importance of exploring alternative crisis support strategies (Cilsu et al., 2022; Clark & MacLennan, 2023; SAMHSA, 2022).
To address these challenges, a NIHR-funded review led by Edwards et al. (2024) aims to summarize the available crisis responses for CYP, focusing on their effectiveness and experiences. The review highlights the urgent need for effective crisis interventions to support CYP and emphasizes the importance of understanding the type of support available and how it is perceived by young people and their families.
The review employed a systematic approach to analyze 138 reports, including primary research studies, descriptive accounts of crisis services, and grey literature reports. By examining the organization of crisis services, the experiences and perceptions of CYP, the effectiveness of current crisis support models, and the goals of crisis intervention, the review provides valuable insights into best practices for supporting CYP in crisis situations.
The review identified different service models for crisis support and emphasized the importance of age-appropriate assessments, community-based care, and timely interventions. Despite some limitations in the available evidence, the review underscored the positive outcomes of various crisis interventions in different settings. Goals of crisis interventions for CYP include avoiding hospital admission, assessing and planning interventions, enhancing community engagement, and providing peer support.
While the review sheds light on effective crisis interventions for CYP, it also acknowledges the need for further research in this area, especially in low- and middle-income countries where mental health issues are prevalent. Future studies should focus on improving the accessibility and quality of crisis care for CYP globally.
