Crisis Phone Services

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Mental Health Services
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Pediatric mental health crises are increasing, straining emergency departments (EDs).
• There is a growing need for effective alternatives to acute care for pediatric mental health emergencies.
• Existing crisis care systems require better integration and coordination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review pediatric crisis phone services within the broader crisis care continuum.
• To differentiate between various types of crisis phone services (hotlines, triage, follow-up).
• To demonstrate the effectiveness of a statewide, integrated crisis triage model in managing pediatric mental health crises.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of pediatric crisis phone services.
• Analysis of the crisis care continuum.
• Case study of Kids'Link of Rhode Island's integrated crisis triage model.

Main Results:

• Statewide integrated crisis triage models can effectively support families.
• These models facilitate timely risk assessment and appropriate referrals.
• Implementation of such services can lead to a reduction in unnecessary emergency department utilization for pediatric mental health issues.

Conclusions:

• Coordinated crisis phone services are crucial for strengthening the continuity of pediatric care.
• Integrated models improve the overall pediatric crisis response system.
• These services represent a vital component of alternative acute care strategies for pediatric mental health emergencies.