Crises and Psychiatric Emergency
The greatest complication of mental illnesses is suicide. It’s important to know the signs and risk factors of a person in distress and important resources, especially for families.
Sources for Children
- National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), the Learning Center for Child and Adolescent Trauma offers Free Online Education since its founding in 2005, the Psychiatry Academy has educated thousands of clinicians through comprehensive, sequential, iterative, interactive, and innovative educational programs.
- Very straightforward information from The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP):
What is a Psychiatric Emergency?
Most families know when to call an ambulance or bring their children to the emergency room when they seem physically ill. Families may have a hard time identifying a psychiatric or mental health emergency. A psychiatric emergency is a dangerous or life-threatening situation in which a child needs immediate attention.
If you are reading this because your child has overdosed on medication or drugs, swallowed something dangerous, or attempted suicide, this is an emergency. Immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Reasons to bring your child for an emergency mental health evaluation include, risk of harm to self, such as:
- Saying in person or online that they want to kill themselves
- Searching online about how to kill themselves
- Taking steps to kill themselves like stockpiling pills, making a noose, or getting a gun or other weapons
- Writing a suicide note
- Giving away favorite belongings or making a will
- Cutting or hurting themselves in order to die or not talking about why
Risk of harm to others, such as:
- Saying in person or online that they plan to kill a person or large groups of people
- Becoming more violent towards others
- Starting fires, destroying property, or harming animals
- Threatening a person with a weapon
- Changes in behavior or thinking, such as:
- Acting strangely or not making sense
- Losing touch with reality
- Seeing or hearing things that are not there
- Becoming paranoid
In these cases, an emergency evaluation may be required. Contact your child’s doctor or mental health provider to find out the best way to get help. If your child is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local emergency number, or head straight to the nearest emergency room. If you’re not sure you can transport your child safely, call an ambulance. If available, bring the following to the emergency room, but only if it does not delay getting there:
- A suicide note or social media post that your child has written
- Medication bottles if your child may have taken an overdose
- Current medications prescribed to your child
- Contact information for the pediatrician and mental health providers
Some issues are concerning but are not psychiatric emergencies and can be handled by a pediatrician or mental health provider during regular business hours. These include:
- Routine medication changes or non-urgent medication refills
- Non-emergent full diagnostic evaluations
- Chronic or long-standing problems that are not dangerous or life-threatening, such as anxiety, trouble sleeping, defiant behaviors, or tantrums.
Psychiatric emergencies are life-threatening events that require immediate attention. They can be frightening, but medical staff can help keep your child safe and make sure they get the help they need.
For more information, please visit AACAP’s Suicide Resource Center.
-AACAP
Additional Information and Resources
- Suicide Prevention and Resources
- Questions About Suicide
- Encouragement for Nurses
- Suicide in Healthcare
- Children/Kids Websites and Resources
Helpful External Websites
- National Children’s Alliance
- Kempe Foundation for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect
- American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children
- National Children’s Advocacy Center
