Youth Mental Health Emergency Department Visits Have Increased In Recent Years

Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Nov, 2018

To those who provide mental health services, it comes as no surprise that emergency department visits among children and youth for mental health concerns has dramatically increased in recent years. The Pediatric Health Information System conducted a study of youth mental health-related services at 45 children’s hospitals between 2012 through 2016. The rate of mental health visits increased from 50.4 visits per 100,000 in 2012 to 78.5 visits per 100,000 in 2016, with visits increasing at a higher rate for black youth than for whites. The average age of patients studied was 13.3 years old.

The study demonstrates the need to not only increase capacity in emergency departments, but the need to increase community resources for youth, especially black youth, who suffer from acute anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, substance abuse and dependence, eating disorders, behavioral disorders and schizophrenia.