82. Crisis in the ER: The Behavioral Health Bottleneck (Part 1 of 4)

Emergency Departments are overwhelmed with behavioral health patients, many of whom face long waits, inappropriate referrals, and a lack of clinical pathways for care. In this four-part series, we dive into the growing crisis of mental health care in EDs, starting with the system-wide backlog that leaves patients boarded for hours—or even days. This episode explores firsthand reports from local listening sessions, the stark rise in ED visits for adolescent mental health, and the alarming statistics behind the surge. We also discuss why so many children and youth end up in the ED without proper follow-up care. Stay tuned as we unpack policies, real-life experiences, and potential solutions in the weeks ahead.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Mastering the art of navigating behavioral health systems - learn how to streamline the process and provide better support.
• Revolutionize emergency department mental health care - discover breakthrough approaches for more effective and compassionate care.
• Uncovering the secrets to accessing pediatric mental health services in rural areas - unlock the key to providing vital support to children in underserved regions.
• Mastering the strategies for effective mental health crisis intervention - acquire the essential skills for handling critical situations with confidence and expertise.
• Implementing game-changing behavioral health care policies in hospitals - find out how to enhance overall care and support within hospital settings.

The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:02 - Introduction to Behavioral Health Systems
00:01:21 - Challenges in Critical Access Hospitals
00:03:04 - Data on Pediatric Mental Health Visits
00:05:26 - Children's Mental Health Care
00:10:52 - Inefficiencies in Mental Health Care
00:13:05 - Identifying Issues in Emergency Departments
00:14:07 - Lack of Policies in Emergency Departments
00:15:29 - Disparities in Rural Areas
00:17:07 - Importance of Training and Policy Implementation
00:19:04 - Self-Care Policy of the Week: Vacation

Links:

• Emergency Department Use by Children and Youth with Mental Health Conditions: A Health Equity Agenda
• Household Pulse Survey, 2020–2025. Anxiety and Depression

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Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WEgAES6ff8c