Pediatric mental health emergencies in the emergency medical services system

Steven E. Krug*, Thomas Bojko, Margaret A. Dolan, Karen Frush, Patricia O'Malley, Robert Sapien, Kathy N. Shaw, Joan Shook, Paul Sirbaugh, Loren Yamamoto, Jane Ball, Susan Eads Role, Kathleen Brown, Kim Bullock, Dan Kavanaugh, Tina Turgel, Sharon E. Mace, David W. Tuggle, Susan Tellez, Beverly H. BaumanIsabel A. Barata, Jill M. Baren, Lee S. Benjamin, Lance A. Brown, Joseph H. Finkler, Ran D. Goldman, Phyllis L. Hendry, Martin I. Herman, Dennis A. Hernandez, Christy Hewling, Mark A. Hostetler, Ramon W. Johnson, Neil E. Schamban, Gerald R. Schwartz, Ghazala Q. Sharieff, Marianne Gausche-Hill, Ronald A. Furnival, Gregory L. Walker, Nancy Medina, Carole Prewitt

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

65 Scopus citations

Abstract

Emergency departments are vital in the management of pediatric patients with mental health emergencies. Pediatric mental health emergencies are an increasing part of emergency medical practice because emergency departments have become the safety net for a fragmented mental health infrastructure that is experiencing critical shortages in services in all sectors. Emergency departments must safely, humanely, and in a culturally and developmentally appropriate manner manage pediatric patients with undiagnosed and known mental illnesses, including those with mental retardation, autistic spectrum disorders, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and those experiencing a behavioral crisis. Emergency departments also manage patients with suicidal ideation, depression, escalating aggression, substance abuse, posttraumatic stress disorder, and maltreatment and those exposed to violence and unexpected deaths. Emergency departments must address not only the physical but also the mental health needs of patients during and after mass-casualty incidents and disasters. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Emergency Physicians support advocacy for increased mental health resources, including improved pediatric mental health tools for the emergency department, increased mental health insurance coverage, and adequate reimbursement at all levels; acknowledgment of the importance of the child's medical home; and promotion of education and research for mental health emergencies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1764-1767
Number of pages4
JournalPediatrics
Volume118
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2006

Keywords

  • Emergency department
  • Medical home
  • Mental health emergencies
  • School and community mental health services

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

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