Year: 2017 Source: Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. (2012). 51(2): 213-222.e1. doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2011.11.002 SIEC No: 20170538

Objective
Little is known about the mental health care received by young people after an episode of deliberate self-harm. This study examined predictors of emergency department (ED) discharge, mental health assessments in the ED, and follow-up outpatient mental health care for Medicaid-covered youth with deliberate self-harm.
Method
A retrospective longitudinal cohort analysis was conducted of national 2006 Medicaid claims data supplemented with the Area Resource File and a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Medicaid policy survey of state policy characteristics focusing on ED treatment episodes by youth 10 to 19 years old for deliberate self-harm (n = 3,241). Rates and adjusted risk ratios (ARR) of discharge to the community, mental health assessments in the ED, and outpatient visits during the 30 days after the ED visit were assessed.

Conclusions
A substantial proportion of young Medicaid beneficiaries who present to EDs with deliberate self-harm are discharged to the community and do not receive emergency mental health assessments or follow-up outpatient mental health care