A recent study reveals that the number of pediatric inpatient psychiatric beds in the United States remained unchanged from 2017 to 2020, despite a significant increase in mental health-related emergency visits among children and adolescents. The research, published in JAMA Pediatrics, highlights the growing gap between the demand for youth mental health services and the available resources.
Uneven Distribution of Psychiatric Beds Across States
The study uncovered stark disparities in the availability of inpatient psychiatric care for children across different states. While Arkansas boasts 75 beds per 100,000 children, Alaska has none. This uneven distribution raises concerns about equitable access to mental health care for young people across the country.
Dr. Jennifer Hoffmann, senior author of the study and emergency medicine physician at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, emphasized the severity of the situation. “Access to psychiatric inpatient care for youth is insufficient to meet the growing demand, forcing patients to wait for hours or even days in emergency departments or on medical units until a psychiatric bed becomes available,” she explained.
The research also revealed that over 90% of pediatric inpatient psychiatric beds are located in urban centers. This concentration leaves rural areas severely underserved, creating additional challenges for families in these regions who need mental health care for their children.
The Human Cost of Limited Access
The shortage of psychiatric beds for children has real-world consequences for families. Mark S. Johnson, a parent from Juneau, Alaska, shared his family’s experience: “My 14-year-old stepson needed inpatient mental health treatment but there were no options available in Alaska. Our local hospital kept him under observation while we sought psychiatric placement for him in Washington, over 900 miles from our home. It was very stressful and visiting him every two weeks was expensive.”
Stories like Johnson’s highlight the emotional and financial toll that families face when seeking mental health care for their children in areas with limited resources.
Dr. Hoffmann suggests that early detection of mental health concerns and prevention of mental health emergencies in youth can be part of the solution to the psychiatric bed shortage. She recommends implementing these measures in primary care settings and school-based health centers.
Additionally, Dr. Hoffmann emphasizes the importance of supporting the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which provides mental health crisis intervention via telephone and text messages. “Other ways to improve access to youth mental health services could involve mobile mental health units and increased use of telehealth for rural areas,” she added.
Why it matters: The persistent shortage of pediatric psychiatric beds, coupled with the rising demand for mental health services among youth, puts immense pressure on healthcare systems and families alike. Addressing this issue is crucial for ensuring timely and adequate care for children and adolescents experiencing mental health crises, potentially preventing long-term negative outcomes and reducing the burden on emergency departments.
As the mental health needs of young people continue to grow, innovative solutions and increased investment in psychiatric care infrastructure will be essential to bridge the gap between demand and available resources. The findings of this study underscore the urgent need for policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities to work together to improve access to mental health care for all children, regardless of their geographic location.
