Pediatric Emergency Department Visits for Mental Health Issues on the Rise

Pediatric visits for mental health issues have increased in all types of EDs, most significantly in non-children's hospitals.

To study trends in pediatric mental health visits to emergency departments (EDs), these authors analyzed data for patients aged 5 to 17 years from both the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project and the Pediatric Readiness Survey from 2007 to 2016.

Although overall ED visits by pediatric patients were stable over the study period, mental health–related visits increased 60% across all ages. Increases were largest in the 15- to 17-year age group (68%) and in girls (79%). Visits for substance use disorder increased 75%, with alcohol-related visits decreasing 39% and visits for other substances increasing 160%. Visits for self-harm increased 329%.

Rates increased in all types of EDs regardless of their prop…

Reviewing Author

Carolyn K. Holland, MD, MEd, FACEP, FAAP

Disclosures

EquityGeneral Electric

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesSociety for Academic Emergency Medicine (Program Committee Chief Resident Forum Subcommittee Chair); American College of Emergency Physicians (Education Committee member)

Carolyn K. Holland, MD, MEd, FACEP, FAAP

Disclosures

EquityGeneral Electric

Pediatric Emergency Department Visits for Mental Health Issues on the Rise

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Reviewing Author