Half of pediatric mental health visits hit smaller EDs

Overview

Approximately half of pediatric mental health-related emergency department visits occurred in smaller settings with fewer than 10,000 annual pediatric visits. The study analyzed data from 2016 to 2022, revealing significant trends in mental health diagnoses and visit characteristics based on emergency department volume.

Background

The increasing prevalence of mental health issues among children and adolescents necessitates effective emergency care. Understanding where these patients seek treatment is crucial.

Data Highlights

Key Findings

• 50% of pediatric mental health-related visits occurred at high-volume EDs.
• Patients aged 15 to 17 years accounted for 49% of mental health visits.
• Suicide or self-injury was the most frequent diagnosis at 24% of visits.
• Mental health-related ED visits increased by 24% from 2016 to 2022.
• Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic patients had higher odds of presenting to high-volume EDs compared to non-Hispanic White patients.
• Admissions for mental health visits were significantly higher at high-volume EDs (16%) compared to low-volume EDs (2%).

Clinical Implications

Emergency departments must be equipped to handle pediatric mental health crises effectively.

Conclusion

The findings indicate that a significant proportion of pediatric mental health-related visits occur in smaller facilities.

Related Resources & Content

1. JAMA Network Open, 2023 -- Pediatric Primary Care Visits With Mental Health Needs
2. MDSpire News, 2023 -- A New Benchmark for EDs?
3. JAMA Network Open, 2023 -- Achievable Benchmarks of Care in Pediatric Emergency Departments
4. American Academy of Pediatrics, 2025 -- Pediatric Readiness in the Emergency Department
5. CDC, 2026 -- Emergency Department Visits for Suspected Suicide Attempts
6. DIGITAL HEALTH — Exploring barriers and enablers to implementing a digital mental health crisis risk mitigation pathway in acute paediatric care: A multi-site, exploratory mixed-methods study
7. Pediatric Readiness in the Emergency Department: Policy Statement | Pediatrics | American Academy of Pediatrics
8. Emergency Department Visits for Suspected Suicide Attempts — United States, 2021–2025