An examination of the profile and journey of patients with mental illness in the Emergency Department

Hospital emergency departments (EDs) play a role in treating people with mental illness [1,2]. Despite efforts to care for people with mental illness in the community, away from hospitals, people with mental illness continue to present to EDs with both emergency and non-emergency mental health problems [3 –5]. EDs are used by people seeking mental health (MH) services for the first time as well as those already receiving MH care in the community who require an urgent or immediate response [2,3]. The way in which mental health care is provided in EDs can vary significantly, and different models of c are exist (for a review see Coates (1)).
Source: International Emergency Nursing - Category: Nursing Authors: Source Type: research