What is it about?
We reviewed medical records for 6,522 youths using an urban psychiatric emergency program (2017–2022). About 27% had a repeat visit within 180 days. Repeat visits were more likely after COVID-19 and among individuals aged 7–12 (as compared with those aged 18-17). Individuals referred by schools were less likely to have a repeat visit. and inpatient admission reduced repeats. If a child was admitted to inpatient psychiatric care after an ED visit, they were less likely to return overall; however, if they did return, their next visit was more likely to be to an ED than a lower-acuity setting.
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Why is it important?
This study is unique because it analyzes repeat psychiatric emergency use across both EDs and community alternatives (mobile crisis teams, urgent care centers, telehealth) in a large, safety-net sample spanning 2017–2022. It identifies setting-specific predictors (e.g., school referral, inpatient admission, gender-minority status, developmental diagnoses) that point to targeted, practical interventions to reduce repeat crises.
Perspectives
I hope this article encourages people to think about the experiences of children and families seeking crisis care for behavioral health, especially why they might need emergency care repeatedly. Further, I hope the findings promote investment in robust behavioral health care systems where children and families receive timely services in settings that feel supportive and responsive.
Rachel Oblath
Boston University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Repeat Psychiatric Emergency Services Utilization Among Youths Across Emergency Department and Alternative Settings, Psychiatric Services, March 2026, American Psychiatric Association,
DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.20250446.
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