Understanding your child’s mental health assessment in the emergency room
When you bring your child to the emergency room for a mental health emergency, a licensed social worker will conduct a mental health assessment to determine the most appropriate services for your child’s needs. During the assessment, the social worker will ask both you and your child questions to understand their concerns and identify which treatment options are most appropriate and beneficial. Every child is unique, and the social worker considers several factors when determining which services will best address your child’s mental health needs.
Signs of a mental health emergency
- Attempts or threats to harm self or others.
- Significant and unexplained changes in behavior, mood or thinking.
- Lack of food or sleep intake for several days.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) for a mental health emergency visit
What happens when I bring my child to the emergency room for mental health concerns?
Your child will be assessed by a licensed social worker and an emergency department physician to determine the most appropriate treatment based on your child’s specific concerns and needs. The social worker will provide resources and information about the recommended treatment and with your permission, can place referrals to treatment providers. The social worker may also review any precautions or considerations for taking your child home from the hospital.
Why do you need to assess my child’s mental health needs?
Mental health care is not one size fits all. It’s important to gather the right information to determine what will be most helpful for your child. For example, a child with an eating disorder needs different care and treatment than a child experiencing suicidal ideation. Assessments also help ensure your child’s needs are addressed at the right level of care. This means providing the right amount of support and treatment to meet their specific needs.
How do you determine what level of care or type of treatment my child needs?
There are many factors that go into determining the recommended treatment setting for your child.
One key consideration is symptom severity. Just like other areas of health care, mental health conditions can be treated in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Inpatient treatment is recommended only when symptoms are severe enough that they cannot be safely managed in an outpatient setting.
It’s also important to weigh both the risks and potential benefits of any mental health treatment. For example, brief inpatient care may lead to adverse outcomes when used for certain chronic, long-standing mental health conditions. The social worker takes these factors into account when determining which treatment is best for your child.
If my child is experiencing safety concerns, does that mean they need to go to the inpatient mental health unit?
No, not necessarily. The social worker will help determine which level of care is appropriate. “Safety concerns” is a broad term that can refer to many different behaviors and symptoms and many do not require hospitalization. While inpatient mental health care must be accessed through the emergency department, not all patients who come to the ED for mental health concerns need or benefit from inpatient treatment. In fact, most mental health visits to the emergency department do not result in hospitalization. On average, only 9.2% of pediatric mental health visits lead to inpatient admission (National Health Statistics Reports, Number 191, October 24, 2023).
Mental health crises are often short in duration. Even if the immediate crisis has passed and your child is no longer at imminent risk, there may still be ongoing mental health needs to address. The social worker will provide treatment options and resources to support your child after leaving the hospital. No matter what brings you to the emergency department, our goal is to ensure you have the information and resources needed to address your child’s specific symptoms and needs.
My child’s mental health crisis passed, but I’m worried it will come back again after we go home. What steps can I take to keep them safe?
It’s not uncommon for mental health crises to resolve quickly and it’s understandable to feel concerned. Your social worker will review treatment recommendations to support your child moving forward and discuss safety steps you can take at home. These may include removing access to items that could be used for self-harm, such as firearms or medications. You’ll also receive a written safety plan outlining steps you and your child can take if symptoms worsen.
I’m concerned about my child’s mental health, but it’s not an emergency. What do I do?
If you’re not concerned about your child’s immediate safety, a good first step is to schedule an appointment with a licensed psychotherapist. We offer this service in our mental health clinics at Children’s Minnesota. See below for additional mental health resources:
County mobile crisis teams
Every county in Minnesota offers a 24/7 mobile crisis response team. These teams provide de-escalation and stabilization services, help with safety planning, and connect families to ongoing mental health support.
- In the Twin Cities metro, call CRISIS (274747) from a cell phone.
- Outside the metro area, each county has a different number. Find your county’s mobile crisis number here.
Ramsey County Mental Health Urgent Care
Walk-in mental health support is available for Ramsey County residents. Learn more.
Walk-In Counseling Center
Free and anonymous mental health services for all ages. Children under 15 must have a parent or guardian present. Appointments are available via Zoom or in person. Visit their website more information.
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Minnesota
Non-profit organization which dedicated to improving the lives of people of all ages living with mental illness and their families. NAMI can assist families in accessing mental health services as well as obtaining medication lockboxes and safe firearm storage. Visit their website for more information on peer support groups, educational materials and other resources that NAMI provides.
