In a recent report (Reidy, 1960) of experiences in running a newly opened Centre for disturbed pre-adolescents, it was found that the majority of cases had presented as emergencies. The author goes on to state that “To my knowledge there has been little written on what constitutes a psychiatric emergency in pre-adolescent children. The dangers of suicide and homicide, the main reason for emergency hospitalization of adults, are, according to the literature, rarely present in pre-adolescents.”