In the United Kingdom, the National Health Service provides most medical care for free to all legal residents.
While this model is less financially burdensome than what many United States citizens are accustomed to, wait times and overcrowding in hospital systems can make it extremely difficult for people to access care when they need it.
In recent years, A&E, or accident and emergency, units have been overwhelmed by people in mental health crises.
In 2024, 250,000 people went to an A&E experiencing mental health crises, with one in three waiting more than 12 hours, according to The Independent.
On top of this, the Royal College of Emergency Medicine estimated that around 320 patients a week may have died in England last year due to excessive waits for hospital beds in these departments.
So, the NHS is doing something about it.
In 2025, they opened a network of specialized clinics, which provide 24/7 support for patients feeling suicidal or experiencing symptoms of psychosis or mania.
The new services also include a “full and holistic assessment” of a patient’s mental health needs.
The idea is to address the root causes of a crisis, like homelessness or substance use issues, connecting patients to an action plan or additional resources for their overall well-being. And it all happens in 10 minutes, guaranteed.
“Anybody who walks in is seen by a mental health specialist within 10 minutes,” mental health nurse Toti Freysson, who manages one of the new London locations, told The Times.
“Normally in A&E, they would have to wait for hours, surrounded by the noise and the chaos. Most of the people we see have suicidal thoughts. Here, they can come in and sit with their families. We are able to intervene early and link them up with treatment in the community. It means we can get them home much sooner.”
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A version of this article was originally published in The 2026 Mental Health Edition of the Goodnewspaper.
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