10/10/2025
Mental health is a universal human right: improving access to services
This year’s theme for World Mental Health Day is a powerful reminder: everyone deserves access to mental health support—regardless of who they are, where they live, or the system they work in.
In Emergency Medicine, we see mental health inequalities every day—patients in crisis unable to access appropriate care, colleagues navigating stigma or burnout without clear support, and systems under pressure.
At the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, we recognise that access must go beyond the patient journey. Clinicians also need access—to timely mental health care, peer support, education, and safe working conditions.
We’ve gathered a selection of resources that aim to support the wellbeing of EM professionals and promote accessible, inclusive care across the board.
Resources: Supporting Access to Mental Health in Emergency Medicine
RCEM Mental Health Toolkit
A practical resource to help Emergency Departments create supportive environments and pathways for both staff and patients.
RCEM Clinical Guidance: Acute Behavioural Disturbance in Emergency Departments
It is important to recognise that ABD should not be considered a diagnosis or syndrome, but rather a clinical picture with a variety of presenting features and potential causes. The term ABD is widely recognised by both in-hospital and pre-hospital emergency care providers, and by the police in the UK.
RCEM News Report: Inequities in Mental Health Provision
Our recent feature on how workforce pressures and structural barriers affect access to care for EM professionals.
On-Demand Event: Eating disorders in the ED
This event gives insight into the physical and mental impact of eating disorders on patients and their carers. It will introduce the new Medical Emergencies in Eating Disorders (MEED) guidelines which are essential for correctly managing these patients in the ED.
QIP Webinar: Bridging the Gap in Mental Health Access
Hear how departments are using quality improvement to strengthen access, signposting, and follow-up for mental health needs.
eLearning from RCEMLearning
Our eLearning content explores themes of access, communication, and inclusive care:
- Mental Health in the ED
- Paediatric Mental Health in the ED
- Burnout
- I’m not burnt out, I’m just tired
- Psychological Support in the ED
- Psychiatric Emergencies for the adult patient