Evaluating Crisis Intervention Services for Youth within an Emergency Department: A View from Within

Abstract

An innovative crisis intervention programme was created at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Canada in order to provide emergency assessments for youth presenting with mental health crises. The current investigation presents an overview of the programme and examines the emergency staff's perception and satisfaction with it. Eighty-seven emergency department medical staff completed a survey. Overall, emergency department staff place high value on having access to emergency mental health services, are pleased with the quality of service and appreciate that the crisis intervention worker's presence allows them to spend more time with other patients.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jacinthe Dion

Professor Jacinthe Dion is at the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi

Allison Kennedy

Allison Kennedy is at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario

Paula Cloutier

Paula Cloutier is at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario

Clare Gray

Clare Gray is at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario