Chicago-area hospital system had a 6.7% increase in self-injury visits between March 2018 and February 2021.
A study of pediatric emergency department visits in a Chicago-area 10-hospital health system found mental health visits increased from March 2018 to February 2021, according to a paper published by the Academic Pediatric Association.
Specifically, researchers identified 8,127 pediatric mental health emergency visits over that time period. During the pandemic, visits for suicide or self-injury increased 6.69% and visits for disruptive, impulse control, and conduct disorders increased 1.94%.
School-based supports for students' mental well-being were included in the newly-enacted Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which dedicates $500 million for the School Based Mental Health Service Professionals Demonstration Grant program to train and diversify the pipeline of counselors, social workers and psychologists in schools. The new law also provides another $500 million for the School Based Mental Health Service Grant Program to increase the number of mental health service providers.
Additionally, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network services will shift to a three-digit phone number — 988 — on July 16
