Suicidal Teens and Other Kids in Mental Health Crisis Languish in ERs

Daily, hundreds of teens walk into emergency departments because of a mental or behavioral crisis related to depression, anxiety, autism, etc. Unfortunately, some of these teens seeking emergency help will suffer long wait times in the emergency department. Alex Janke, M.D., M.H.S., a National Clinician Scholar at VAAHS and the U-M Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, discusses the insufficient access to mental health care that stands out among other factors that should be available currently.

*If you, your child, or someone you know is having a mental health crisis or considering suicide, contact the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 or visiting 988lifeline.org for crisis chat services or for more information.