New Study Reveals that U.S. Children, Adolescents Account for Million Emergency Room Visits a Year for Mental Health 

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study reveals that the average annual emergency room visits by children and adolescents seeking mental health treatment exceeded 1 million from 2018-2021. The research underscores the rising trend of mental health disorders in this demographic, with suicide attempts and suicides on the rise over the past decade. Due to fewer psychiatric care facilities and limited access to outpatient services, many youths increasingly rely on emergency departments for immediate mental health care. Approximately one in five patients were admitted or transferred to psychiatric facilities, and 25% were prescribed psychiatric medication. The study identifies mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and behavioral and emotional disorders as the most common conditions treated. Adolescents aged 12-17 had significantly higher emergency visit rates than children under 12, with girls and Black children and adolescents seeking treatment more frequently. The study emphasizes the persistent mental health challenges facing this population, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.