In Denmark, there has been a significant outcry over the record-long waiting times exceeding 100 days for children and adolescents to receive assessment and diagnosis in child and youth psychiatry. This existing queue poses serious implications for the well-being and health of those waiting, as parents and guardians report feeling helpless amidst a system they believe has failed to adequately address their children's mental health needs.

However, beneath the surface lies a critical issue that garners relatively little public attention, affecting numerous families. Each year, thousands of mentally troubled children and young people under 18 are told they are not 'ill enough' to qualify for assistance at psychiatric hospitals. Despite the convictions of doctors, family members, and others regarding the need for psychiatric intervention due to the severity of the children's conditions, many are unable to progress through the system to even secure a spot on the waiting list.

This hidden crisis emphasizes not just the inadequate infrastructure within the psychiatric care system, but also the significant emotional toll it exerts on families who are battling for their children's mental health. As they face bureaucratic barriers and often unempathetic responses from health services, the need for reform and increased resources in Denmark's psychiatric sector becomes increasingly urgent. Addressing this issue is crucial not only for the children impacted but also for the wider societal implications concerning mental health awareness and support in Denmark.