Care Guidelines

A visual decision pathway to guide safe, appropriate interventions based on assessed suicide risk.

See how pediatric behavioral health protocols work in real ED scenarios. These sample workflows highlight step-by-step actions, practical tools, and strategies that help teams provide safe, family-centered care for various patients.

The following best practices offer evidence-based approaches for assessing and addressing mental health concerns, along with protocols to ensure coordinated, family-centered care across providers and systems.

EDs, pediatrician offices, and mental healthcare providers each play crucial roles in supporting youth in crisis, yet they have limited opportunities to connect and coordinate. PMHCA-led peer networks and office hours create intentional time for collaboration through informal, recurring virtual sessions. These gatherings offer opportunities for case-based learning, system coordination, and direct access to PMHCA expertise to strengthen relationships across care teams.

Early identification relies on the use of standardized screening tools tailored to a child’s developmental stage and presenting concerns. Tools should be administered in private, developmentally appropriate settings and reviewed by trained staff. Investigate which tools are being utilized by the EDs you are working with.

Effective, consistent communication following a mental health-related ED visit is essential to ensure timely follow-up and reduce the risk of readmission and a repeat crisis. These templates help ED teams share clear, relevant information with primary care providers and families to support a smooth transition and continued care coordination. They also can be used with your ED team members to identify which elements already exist and which may need to be added/adjusted.