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The persistent impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric emergency department visits for suicidal thoughts and behaviors
Junewicz, Alexandra; Wachtel, Jonathan M; Okparaeke, Eugene; Guo, Fei; Farahmand, Pantea; Lois, Rebecca; Li, Annie; Stein, Cheryl R; Baroni, Argelinda
INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND:We examined data from a large, high acuity, pediatric psychiatric emergency department (ED) to assess both the immediate and longer-term impact of the pandemic on ED visits for suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) among youth. METHODS:Youth ages 5-17 years presenting at a pediatric psychiatric ED in New York, NY from March 2019-November 2021 were included in this study. Visits were categorized as pre-pandemic, pandemic year 1, or pandemic year 2. We examined changes in demographic and clinical characteristics among patients presenting across the three time periods, as well as multivariable associations between these characteristics and STBs. RESULTS:Over 32 months, 2728 patients presented at 4161 visits. The prevalence of a discharge diagnosis of STBs increased from 21.2% pre-pandemic to 26.3% (p < 0.001) during pandemic year 1, and further increased to 30.1% (p = 0.049) during pandemic year 2. Youth were 21% more likely to receive a discharge diagnosis of STBs in pandemic year 1 (RR 1.21, 95% CI 1.07, 1.36) and 35% more likely in pandemic year 2 (RR 1.35, 95% CI 1.19, 1.52) compared to pre-pandemic baseline. CONCLUSIONS:In a large, high-acuity ED, STBs continued to increase 20 months after the initial COVID-19 lockdown. These findings highlight the persistent detrimental impact of the pandemic on youth mental health.
PMID: 37933542
ISSN: 1943-278x
CID: 5635142
Identification of Suicide Risk in a Pediatric Psychiatric Emergency Setting: Comparing the Ask Suicide-Screening Questions and the Kiddie-Computerized Adaptive Test-Suicide Scale
Cervantes, Paige E.; Gibbons, Robert D.; Seag, Dana E.M.; Baroni, Argelinda; Li, Annie; Horwitz, Sarah M.
While the emergency department (ED) is an important setting for identifying youth with psychiatric symptoms and connecting them to services, the demands of the ED make efficient and accurate measurement essential in the implementation of mental health screening. The Kiddie-Computerized Adaptive Test (K-CAT), a new electronically administered measure that offers quick and comprehensive assessment across several mental health domains, may be particularly useful in this setting. Given current recommendations for youth suicide risk screening in EDs, this study compared the K-CAT-Suicide Scale (K-CAT-SS) and the Ask Suicide-screening Questions (ASQ), a widely used measure in EDs, in a sample of participants presenting to a pediatric, psychiatric emergency setting. The measures agreed on the presence of suicide risk in over 85% of cases (κ = 0.59), and the characteristics of youth who screened at risk on both were similar. Cases of disagreement were more often male and more often had educational accommodations. They had lower symptom levels of and were less often diagnosed with internalizing disorders and were less often identified as high risk by ED psychiatrists and psychologists. Examination of item endorsement patterns in cases of disagreement revealed important areas of future study, including the role of caregiver report in suicide risk screening, item comprehension concerns, and the validity of assessing youth with neurodevelopmental disabilities. While additional research would be beneficial into its psychometrics when deployed in real-world settings, the K-CAT-SS should be considered a viable alternative for suicide risk screening in EDs.
SCOPUS:85183847807
ISSN: 2379-4925
CID: 5700952
Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk in Autistic Youth: Findings from a Clinician Survey in a Pediatric Psychiatric Emergency Setting
Cervantes, Paige E; Li, Annie; Sullivan, Katherine A; Seag, Dana E M; Baroni, Argelinda; Horwitz, Sarah M
Suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB) and emergency department (ED) utilization are prevalent in autistic youth. The current study surveyed clinicians in a pediatric psychiatric ED to examine differences in attitudes on suicide-related care for autistic and non-autistic patient populations. While clinicians rated addressing STB in ASD as important and adaptations to care as necessary, less than half identified ASD as a suicide risk factor and confidence ratings were significantly lower for autistic patients. Previous ASD training predicted confidence and accounted for approximately 25% of the variance in confidence scores. Findings highlight the urgency to develop and disseminate ED clinician training, and address the lack of validated assessment tools, adapted suicide prevention practices, and evidence-based treatments for STB in autistic youth.
PMID: 35122186
ISSN: 1573-3432
CID: 5154042
The persistent impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric emergency department visits for suicidal thoughts and behaviors
Junewicz, Alexandra; Wachtel, Jonathan M.; Okparaeke, Eugene; Guo, Fei; Farahmand, Pantea; Lois, Rebecca; Li, Annie; Stein, Cheryl R.; Baroni, Argelinda
Introduction: We examined data from a large, high acuity, pediatric psychiatric emergency department (ED) to assess both the immediate and longer-term impact of the pandemic on ED visits for suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) among youth. Methods: Youth ages 5"“17 years presenting at a pediatric psychiatric ED in New York, NY from March 2019"“November 2021 were included in this study. Visits were categorized as pre-pandemic, pandemic year 1, or pandemic year 2. We examined changes in demographic and clinical characteristics among patients presenting across the three time periods, as well as multivariable associations between these characteristics and STBs. Results: Over 32 months, 2728 patients presented at 4161 visits. The prevalence of a discharge diagnosis of STBs increased from 21.2% pre-pandemic to 26.3% (p < 0.001) during pandemic year 1, and further increased to 30.1% (p = 0.049) during pandemic year 2. Youth were 21% more likely to receive a discharge diagnosis of STBs in pandemic year 1 (RR 1.21, 95% CI 1.07, 1.36) and 35% more likely in pandemic year 2 (RR 1.35, 95% CI 1.19, 1.52) compared to pre-pandemic baseline. Conclusions: In a large, high-acuity ED, STBs continued to increase 20 months after the initial COVID-19 lockdown. These findings highlight the persistent detrimental impact of the pandemic on youth mental health.
SCOPUS:85176106645
ISSN: 0363-0234
CID: 5616222
Mental health service availability for autistic youth in New York City: An examination of the developmental disability and mental health service systems
Cervantes, Paige E; Conlon, Greta R; Seag, Dana Em; Feder, Michael; Lang, Qortni; Meril, Samantha; Baroni, Argelinda; Li, Annie; Hoagwood, Kimberly E; Horwitz, Sarah M
LAY ABSTRACT/UNASSIGNED:Autistic children and adolescents experience high rates of co-occurring mental health conditions, including depression and suicidality, which are frequently identified by stakeholders as treatment priorities. Unfortunately, accessing community-based mental health care is often difficult for autistic youth and their families. The first obstacle families confront is finding a provider that offers mental health treatment to autistic youth within the many service systems involved in supporting the autism community. The mental health and developmental disability systems are two of the most commonly accessed, and previous work has shown there is often confusion over which of these systems is responsible for providing mental health care to autistic individuals. In this study, we conducted a telephone survey to determine the availability of outpatient mental health services for autistic youth with depressive symptoms or suicidal thoughts or behaviors in New York City across the state's mental health and developmental disability systems. Results showed that while a greater percentage of clinics in the mental health system compared with in the developmental disability system offered outpatient mental health services to autistic youth (47.1% vs 25.0%), many more did not offer care to autistic youth and there were very few options overall. Therefore, it is important that changes to policy are made to increase the availability of services and that mental health care providers' knowledge and confidence in working with autistic youth are improved.
PMID: 35893840
ISSN: 1461-7005
CID: 5276592
Minor Feelings [Book Review]
Li, Annie S.
ISI:000734277300020
ISSN: 0890-8567
CID: 5242422
GROWING UP DIFFERENT: THE IMPACT OF RACISM ON ADOLESCENT IDENTITY [Meeting Abstract]
Hoq, R; Li, A; Oatis, M D
Objectives: The United States is among the most diverse nations worldwide, boasting a majority percentage of the population comprised of ethnic minorities. Despite this, there remains a longstanding and pervasive history of racism toward several minority ethnic groups. According to a 2019 report from the Pew Research Center, race relations in America have worsened in recent times. Racism is a social determinant of health. Experiences of racism significantly impact the identity and self-perception of children and adolescents. It is therefore critical to examine how the unique racial experience of prominent ethnic minority groups shapes their developing identities and to accurately inform best practices in mental health diagnosis and treatment.
Method(s): Presenters will review the historical context of racism in the United States for the following prominent minority groups: African American, Latinx, East Asian, and South Asian. Each presenter will expand on the experience of racism specific to each ethnic group, identify unique negative biases, and review how these dynamics of discrimination impact adolescent identity development. Presenters will also share clinical pearls for how to explore topics of racial discrimination with youth in treatment.
Result(s): The experience of racism in adolescence has a significant impact on the developing adolescent identity and increases the risk of poor self-esteem, social isolation, and mental illness.
Conclusion(s): Racism is an unquestionably prevalent social issue affecting Americans of varying ethnic backgrounds. The experience of racism can be unique for differing ethnic groups. Because racism has a significant impact on the identity of developing youth and can increase the risks of mental illness, it is imperative for psychiatrists to consider race and ethnic bias in our discussions, assessments, and treatment of our patients. ETHN, ADOL, IDD
Copyright
EMBASE:2014994529
ISSN: 1527-5418
CID: 5024322