Children and Adolescents With Suicidal Ideation and the Emergency Department

Abstract

This Viewpoint discusses the need for formal training in suicide prevention for frontline emergency clinicians and staff, including standardized screening practices, assessment and targeted interventions, and increased connection to outpatient mental health services after discharge from the emergency department.

Outcomes of Children Admitted to a Pediatric Observation Unit With a Psychiatric Comanagement Model

“…These findings are consistent with outcomes of an adult psychiatric observation unit and suggest value to patients in racial, ethnic, and sexual minority groups who disproportionately use the PED for health care. Given the fragmented pediatric mental health infrastructure, limitations include knowledge gaps in outpatient follow-up, family resources, housing status, and other social determinants of health. Future studies should elucidate these gaps and their influence on the role of POUs.…”

“…Pediatric mental health is placing unprecedented demands on the health care system and may disproportionately affect racial, ethnic, and sexual minority groups . Consequently, pediatric emergency departments (PEDs) may be affected by fragmented mental health care infrastructure, shortages in outpatient and inpatient psychiatric (IP) services, and barriers to preventive care . Observation units allow for evaluation and treatment of patients with well-defined conditions for a brief period .…”