Three major healthcare organizations, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Emergency Physicians, and the Emergency Nurses Association, have jointly issued a letter expressing concern over the growing crisis of children with mental health issues seeking emergency care in hospitals ill-equipped to handle their needs.
The report highlights the alarming increase in emergency department visits by children and youth with mental and behavioral health emergencies in the United States over the past decade. It also notes a rise in the prevalence of depression and suicide among pediatric patients. Of particular concern is the disproportionately high suicide rate among black school-aged children, which is twice as high as that of white children.
The report further reveals that emergency rooms vary significantly in their ability to provide care for pediatric patients with mental health conditions. Inconsistent screening for self-harm risks and substance use is also a prevalent issue among patients presenting with mental health concerns.
Dr. Willough Jenkins, the medical director of emergency and consultation psychiatry at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego, has witnessed a staggering increase in the number of children seeking psychiatric emergency care in her ER in recent years. She emphasizes the magnitude of the problem, stating, "The volume is astronomical, and I don't know that people fully understand how many people are struggling."
In response to this crisis, the healthcare groups have issued a policy statement calling for a range of reforms and increased funding. These include the expansion of telehealth services for psychiatry, improved communication among hospitals, and enhanced training for hospital personnel in handling children with mental and behavioral health issues.
Dr. Mohsen Saidinejad, a professor of emergency medicine and pediatrics at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, acknowledges the severity of the problem, stating, "The scope of this problem is really great, but our ability to solve it is not there."
Several studies, including one conducted by the CDC in February, have also highlighted the alarming rates of mental health issues among individuals under the age of 18 in the United States. These trends have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns, which are believed to have had a significantly detrimental impact on overall mental health.
The joint letter from these healthcare organizations serves as a call to action, urging policymakers and stakeholders to address the urgent need for comprehensive and accessible mental health services for children. Failure to do so risks further exacerbating the already dire situation faced by young individuals in need of immediate mental health support.
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