Optimizing Pediatric Patients' Attainment of Outpatient Mental Health Services Following Emergency Department Care.

Introduction: Psychiatric emergency department (ED) visits among youth have risen in the United States in recent years. A major factor contributing to this increase is the lack of accessible inpatient and outpatient services, making the ED a safety net for mental and behavioral health emergencies. This study sought to assess outpatient mental and behavioral health care after ED discharge and understand barriers and facilitators that caregivers encounter when attaining outpatient care.