The current practices and responses to adolescents in North America that are seeking psychiatric care from an emergency department

Adolescence and early adulthood are typically when most mental health disorders present (Gandhi et al., 2016; Kessler et al., 2005). Emergency departments frequently play a crucial part in treating mental health crises and are the entry point for individuals needing hospitalization for their mental health care (Saunders et al., 2018). The purpose of this literature review is to gain an understanding of the North American current practices and interdisciplinary approaches to youth that seek psychiatric care at an emergency department for a mental health concern or crisis. The review will look at the common presenting mental health issues at hospital emergency departments such as anxiety, depression, suicidality, and self-harm. Furthermore, an in-depth examination will be taken to address why youth have been showing up in increasing numbers at emergency departments seeking mental health care. The review will explore some of the current assessments and screening tools being utilized in emergency departments. Additionally, the review will examine youths’ perspectives and experiences while accessing psychiatric care in hospital emergency departments and look at how some of the hospital emergency departments are attempting to provide more effective services to adolescents seeking psychiatric care. Lastly, the literature review will look at gaps in the literature and explore how social workers could be playing a more significant role in supporting adolescents and working within the interdisciplinary team when adolescents present at the hospital with a mental health crisis or concern.