Evidence-informed approaches to guide Pediatric Mental Health Care in EDs

Clinical Protocols and Best Practices for Pediatric Mental Health

Explore peer-reviewed studies and innovative protocols that outline effective strategies to improve care for children and adolescents experiencing mental health crises. This section highlights how integrated care models, access programs, and telepsychiatry initiatives can enhance ED workflows, support primary care providers, and strengthen community partnerships.

The Impact of NC Statewide Telepsychiatry Program (NC-STeP) on Cost Savings by Reducing Unnecessary Psychiatric Hospitalizations During a 6½ Year Period. Psychiatr Q., 2022

  • Demonstrates that emergency department telepsychiatry significantly reduced unnecessary involuntary psychiatric hospitalizations, generating over $20 million in cost savings while safely discharging most patients home.


A Novel Application of the Child Psychiatry Access Program Model to Inpatient Psychiatry: The Transitional Care Coordination Program. J Clin Psychol Med Settings, 2025

  • Describes a transitional care coordination program that supports families and primary care providers after pediatric psychiatric discharge, showing feasibility and potential to improve outpatient connection and reduce readmissions.

The Influence of Project ECHO and Integrated Behavioral Health in Primary Care on Emergency Department Visits Among Youth Diagnosed with Depression. J Behav Health Serv Res. 2025

  • Finds that integrated behavioral health services in pediatric primary care are associated with lower mental health–related emergency department visits among youth with depression.


Expert Team in Your Back Pocket: Recommendations From a Pediatric Mental Health Access Program. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2023

  • Highlights how a pediatric mental health access program provides interprofessional consultation recommendations that strengthen primary care capacity to address youth mental health needs.

Characteristics of a Pediatric Emergency Psychiatric Telephone Triage Service. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2022

  • Examines how a pediatric psychiatric telephone triage service assesses crisis calls and diverts many youth from emergency departments, suggesting clinical and cost-saving benefits.
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