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Numbers of young people detained under the Mental Health Act 1983

Number of detentions and people under the age of 18 who were detained under the Mental Health Act 1983.
Date published:
8 May 2026

Request received

Request received for the number of children and young people under the age of 18 who were detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended) in England. Financial year from 2015 – 16 to 2024 – 25.

Our response

In response we provided:

  • detentions under the Mental Health Act 1983, for under 16 year olds, by legal status, 2016-17 to 2024-25
  • detentions under the Mental Health Act 1983, for 16 to 17 year olds, by legal status, 2016-17 to 2024-25
  • detentions under the Mental Health Act 1983, for under 18 year olds, by legal status, 2016-17 to 2024-25
  • people detained under the Mental Health Act 1983, for under 16 year olds, by legal status, 2016-17 to 2024-25
  • people detained under the Mental Health Act 1983, for 16 to 17 year olds, by legal status, 2016-17 to 2024-25
  • people detained under the Mental Health Act 1983, for under 18 year olds, by legal status, 2016-17 to 2024-25

Note: The Mental Health Services Dataset did not start until 2016 therefore an earlier comparative time period can not be supplied.

Data is provided for England only.

Age Breakdowns for Under 16, 16-17 and Under 18

Download the data

Last edited: 8 May 2026 3:31 pm