Emergency departments (EDs) are increasingly becoming the frontline for young people experiencing mental health crises. A comprehensive nationwide study examining pediatric mental health visits revealed significant trends in how children and teens access emergency behavioral healthcare.
Between 2016 and 2022, mental health-related ED visits among children and teens jumped by 24%, while visits specifically related to suicide crises saw a dramatic 74% increase.
Key Findings from the Research
Hospital Volume Gap: About half of all pediatric mental health emergencies occur at lower-volume hospitals that handle fewer than 10,000 pediatric visits annually, where specialized pediatric mental health resources may be limited.
Healthcare Disparities: Presentation to high-volume facilities varied significantly by background. Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic youth were more likely to visit high-volume urban EDs, whereas Native American children were far less likely to present to high-volume facilities.
Rising Need for Suicide-Related Care: Suicide-related concerns represented a rapidly growing share of emergency visits, highlighting an urgent need for accessible mental health support across all regions.
Why Community-Level Care Matters
Because half of young patients arrive at general or lower-volume emergency rooms, ensuring that all healthcare facilities—not just major pediatric hospitals—are equipped with behavioral health screening, trained staff, and immediate crisis resources is critical for health equity.
Source: Medscape / Annals of Emergency Medicine
