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What Can Trends in Emergency Department Visits Tell Us About Child Mental Health?

Author

Listed:
  • Han Choi
  • Janet Currie
  • Adriana Corredor-Waldron
  • Chris Felton

Abstract

Increases in mental health diagnoses and suicidal behaviors in emergency departments (ED) are often cited as evidence of an accelerating child mental health crisis. We ask whether trends in ED visits provide an accurate picture of changes in US child mental health. These measures have been profoundly affected by changing conventions about screening, defining, and coding of mental illness. We conclude that child mental health has been deteriorating, but not by the startling magnitudes suggested by jumps and trends in some measures, such as suicidal ideation. Although reported suicidal behaviors rose 228 percent from 2006 to 2021, the true rise in mental health disorders is unlikely to exceed the 66 percent rise in youth suicide observed over the same period.

Suggested Citation

  • Han Choi & Janet Currie & Adriana Corredor-Waldron & Chris Felton, 2026. "What Can Trends in Emergency Department Visits Tell Us About Child Mental Health?," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 61(S), pages 71-97.
    • Handle: RePEc:uwp:jhriss:v:61:y:2026:i:s:p:s71-s97
    Note: DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.0225-14126R1
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    File URL: http://jhr.uwpress.org/cgi/reprint/61/S/S71
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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