58.3 what's the emergency department supposed to do about school refusal?

Children and families increasingly present to the emergency department (ED) for mental health problems, including school refusal. Some youth who present to the ED with school refusal have not responded to appropriate outpatient treatment, whereas others have refused appointments and school or may become aggressive or suicidal when parents attempt to force attendance. Families, outpatient providers, and schools are often uncertain how to intervene and turn to the ED, seeking coordination of inpatient admission or residential care.

Source: Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - September 30, 2019 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Ruth Gerson Tags: Clinical Perspectives 58 Source Type: research