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Objectives: We evaluated the use of a mental health (MH) screening tool in a hospital-based centralized MH referral telephonic intake process. The tool is used to guide psychosocial screening in several domains: home; education; activities and peers; drugs and alcohol; suicidality; emotions, thoughts, and behaviors; and discharge resources (HEADS-ED). We wanted to understand the use of the tool to guide next step in care decision-making over the telephone., Methods: Intake workers used the HEADS-ED tool to guide the assessment processes, identified areas of MH need, and made decisions about next step in care. We completed a retrospective chart review of all callers to the intake system over 4 months to gather initial decision at intake and subsequent steps in treatment. χ 2 and analysis of variance tests were used to examine differences between HEADS-ED scores and next step in care., Results: A total of 674 patients aged 3 to 19 years (mean age = 11.7 years, SD = 0.6; girls = 50.0%) called for services. Significant mean differences were found on total HEADS-ED scores between treatment options (F 4,641 = 75.76; P < .001). Decision validity indicated that 86% ( n = 506 of 587) of initial referrals matched treatments that were actually received. Uptake of the tool was 100%, and interrater reliability indicated strong agreement between raters (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.82; P < .001)., Conclusions: With our results, we support the use of the HEADS-ED tool in a telephone-based MH intake system to help guide the initial assessment and inform decision-making about fit of next step in care, both within the health center-based MH system and in the community., Competing Interests: POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST: The authors have indicated they have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2019 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.)

Objectives: The goal of this study was to examine the mental health needs of children and youth who present to the emergency department (ED) for mental health care and to describe the type of, and satisfaction with, follow-up mental health services accessed., Methods: A 6-month to 1.5-year prospective cohort study was conducted in three Canadian pediatric EDs and one general ED, with a 1-month follow-up post-ED discharge. Measures included 1) clinician rating of mental health needs, 2) patient and caregiver self-reports of follow-up services, and 3) interviews regarding follow-up satisfaction. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and the Fisher's exact test to compare sites., Results: The cohort consisted of 373 children and youth (61.1% female; mean age 15.1 years, 1.5 standard deviation). The main reason for ED presentations was a mental health crisis. The three most frequent areas of need requiring action were mood (43.8%), suicide risk (37.4%), and parent-child relational problems (34.6%). During the ED visit, 21.6% of patients received medical clearance, 40.9% received a psychiatric consult, and 19.4% were admitted to inpatient psychiatric care. At the 1-month post-ED visit, 84.3% of patients/caregivers received mental health follow-up. Ratings of service recommendations were generally positive, as 60.9% of patients obtained the recommended follow-up care and 13.9% were wait-listed., Conclusions: Children and youth and their families presenting to the ED with mental health needs had substantial clinical morbidity, were connected with services, were satisfied with their ED visit, and accessed follow-up care within 1-month with some variability.

Children and youth presenting to the emergency department with mental health concerns present a challenge for clinicians and system capacity. Addressing a significant system gap and sparse strategies in the literature, representative leaders from hospital and community agencies developed a novel pathway to guide efficient and doable risk assessment and ensure timely transition to appropriate community mental health services. This article describes and reflects on our innovative Emergency Department Clinical Pathway for Children and Youth with Mental Health Conditions that bridges traditional barriers between hospital and community settings to address mental health needs for this population., (Crown Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Repeat visits represent up to 45% of mental health (MH) presentations to emergency departments (EDs) and are associated with higher health care costs. We aimed to synthesize available literature on predictors of pediatric MH repeat ED visits and differences between repeat visitors and nonrepeat visitors., Methods: A systematic review was performed using PsycINFO, PubMed, and CINAHL databases. Reporting followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement checklist. Methodologic quality was assessed using the following 8 criteria: design, generalizability, breadth of predictors, reporting of effect sizes, additional outcomes, interaction terms, confounding variables, and clear definition of repeat visits., Results: A total of 178 articles were retrieved; 11 articles met inclusion criteria. Quality assessment revealed that all studies used chart review or administrative data. Predictors were grouped into 3 categories: demographic, clinical, and MH care access and utilization factors. Common predictors associated with repeat ED MH visits included socioeconomic status, involvement with child protective services, and previous and current MH service use. For studies using a 6-month repeat window, the most common factors were previous psychiatric hospitalization and currently receiving MH services. Heterogeneity in statistical analyses and determinants explored precluded the use of meta-analysis., Conclusions: Findings revealed that repeat visits to the ED for MH concerns is a complex phenomenon that can be attributed to various demographic, clinical, and MH care access and utilization factors. To further elucidate the strongest predictors, future prospective research should consider prospective designs and include family factors. Investigating recency and frequency outcomes can also inform clinical practice., (Copyright © 2017 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.)

Background: To examine mental health (MH) presentations to the emergency department (ED) of a paediatric hospital following two highly publicized local teen suicides., Methods: Youths aged 12-18 years with a MH chief complaint and/or diagnosis were included. Differences in frequencies were analyzed using chi-square tests, and relative risks were evaluated using generalized linear modelling., Results: Significant increases in the number of ED presentations were found within the months of the publicized suicides compared to the same months of previous years. No differences were found in symptom acuity, suicidal status and psychiatric hospitalization rates. Significant increases were found in relative risk of presenting to the ED 28 and 90 days post both publicized suicides., Conclusions: RESULTS suggest there was an association between highly publicized suicides and an increase in the number of MH presentations to the local paediatric ED. Considerations of media's potentially positive role in MH awareness are needed., (Copyright © 2014 Longwoods Publishing.)

Rural physicians in Ontario, whose practice included children, were surveyed on their awareness, attitudes and use of telemental health services for children and young people in their region. Of 95 rural physicians, 70 completed and returned the telehealth section of the survey (74% response rate). The survey comprised 14 questions. Only 27% of responders were aware of the available videoconferencing services. The proportion of physicians who reported having referred patients for the various mental health services through videoconferencing was 0-24%. The proportion of physicians who reported that they would refer patients through videoconferencing was 55-92%. Reduced travel time and care provided closer to home were seen as the primary benefits of referring patients to mental health services through videoconferencing. Unclear referral patterns and technology compromises were seen as limitations of referring patients to videoconferencing. Access to rural populations and improved access to patients were seen as benefits to practice, and undeveloped remuneration procedures as the primary limitation. Promotion may be important to successful implementation of telemental health services for children and young people.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed major changes in how youth mental health (MH) services are delivered. Understanding youth’s MH, awareness and use of services since the pandemic, and differences between youth with and without a MH diagnosis, can help us optimize MH services during the pandemic and beyond. Objectives: We investigated youth’s MH and service use one year into the pandemic and explored differences between those with and without a self-reported MH diagnosis. Methods: In February 2021, we administered a web-based survey to youth, 12-25 years, in Ontario. Data from 1373 out of 1497 (91.72%) participants were analyzed. We assessed differences in MH and service use between those with (N=623, 45.38%) and without (N=750, 54.62%) a self-reported MH diagnosis. Logistic regressions were used to explore MH diagnosis as a predictor of service use while controlling for confounders. Results: 86.73% of participants reported worse MH since COVID-19, with no between-group differences. Participants with a MH diagnosis had higher rates of MH problems, service awareness and use, compared to those without a diagnosis. MH diagnosis was the strongest predictor of service use. Gender and affordability of basic needs also independently predicted use of distinct services. Conclusion: Various services are required to mitigate the negative effects of the pandemic on youth MH and meet their service needs. Whether youth have a MH diagnosis may be important to understanding what services they are aware of and use. Sustaining pandemic-related service changes require increasing youth’s awareness of digital interventions and overcoming other barriers to care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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During the potentially tumultuous adolescent period, non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicide attempts are relatively common, particularly amongst youth who present to mental health services. These phenomena frequently co-occur but their relationship is unclear. This study evaluated clinical data from 468 youth between the ages of 12 and 17 years (63.5% female) to determine the incidence of NSSI 24 h prior to presentation at emergency crisis services, evaluated the overlap between NSSI and suicide attempt, and examined the characteristics of different types of self-harm. Half of the adolescents presenting to emergency crisis services had self-harmed within the previous 24 h, with most of these (91%) classified as NSSI only. The percentage of youth with a suicide attempt was 5% and the co-occurrence of these two behaviours was 4%. Group differences in depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation and impulsivity were identified, with the co-occurring NSSI and suicide attempt group presenting with the highest level of psychopathology. This study underscores the necessity of assessing suicidal ideation and NSSI in all youth presenting to mental health services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent policy ready paper identified key areas necessary to strengthen the interface between primary care and community-based child and youth mental health services. The domain that was coded most frequently for health care providers across sites was skills in assessing and treating youth with mental health concerns (eg, competence/ability/skill assessment, practice/skill development). [Extracted from the article]