Early care can prevent a mental health crisis | Letters

Following on from the Care Quality Commission report on crisis care for people with mental health problems, it is clear that children and young people are not receiving the care and support they need (A&E staff attitudes to patients in mental health crisis 'often shocking', 12 June). We know that if they receive effective help at an early stage they probably won't reach a mental health crisis in the first place.

Ten per cent of children and young people have a mental disorder, and many more are unhappy or dissatisfied with their lives. We know that a large proportion of these young people will not be accessing appropriate support when they first need it. This is likely to result in them only coming to the attention of services once they reach a crisis.