Peer-reviewed article
Current and Desired Behavioral Health Resources for Children: A Survey of Illinois Emergency Departments.
Hoffmann JA, Arslanian K, Durr C, Monti J, Mitragotri S et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001A survey of 65 emergency departments in Illinois examined the availability of behavioral health resources and services for children presenting with mental health concerns. Most EDs had universal suicide risk screening in place, but fewer had on-site mental health professionals or telemental health services. Emergency departments identified several gaps in resources, particularly activity kits to support children and better access to psychiatric bed availability information.
Key points
- 56% of responding EDs had on-site mental health professionals and 44% had telemental health services available
- 88% of EDs reported universal suicide risk screening, most using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale, typically starting at age 8
- 56% of EDs reported consistently providing all elements of safety planning for at-risk children
- 82% of EDs identified activity kits as a frequently desired resource
- 73% of EDs wanted a portal to view pediatric psychiatric inpatient bed availability in real time
Limitations
The survey captures only self-reported practices and desired resources from Illinois EDs, so it does not tell us whether desired resources would actually improve child outcomes if implemented, nor does it reflect practices in other states or regions.
Abstract
Objectives In the context of rising emergency department (ED) visits by children for behavioral health (BH) concerns, our objective was to understand current and desired resources for the care of children presenting to Illinois EDs with BH concerns. Methods We surveyed nurse pediatric emergency care coordinators (PECCs) and nurse managers working in Illinois EDs participating in the Pediatric Facility Recognition Program from March 15 to June 30, 2025. We assessed ED characteristics, pediatric BH care practices, and current and desired BH resources. Results Among 101 eligible EDs, 65 (64%) responded. Respondents included nurse PECCs (77%), nurse managers (17%), and nurses serving in both roles (6%). Most EDs (60%) were in hospitals without a pediatric inpatient unit, 22% were in critical access hospitals, and 67% had <4999 annual pediatric ED visits. On-site mental health professionals and telemental health services were available in 56% and 44% of EDs, respectively. Universal suicide risk screening was reported in 88% of EDs, most frequently using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale Screen Version (87%) and starting at age 8 (36%). Among EDs, 56% reported always or often providing all elements of safety planning. Frequently desired resources included activity kits (82%) and a portal to view pediatric psychiatric inpatient bed availability (73%). High priority resources included a mechanism to escalate difficult cases (23%) and increased access to mental health professionals in the ED (23%). Conclusion Survey findings inform opportunities to standardize and improve pediatric BH emergency care through the development and dissemination of desired resources.