Goal 1: Expand access to, and utilization of, behavioral health services. and 1 more... less...
Ensuring World-Class Health Systems for All Marylanders
Mental Health-Related ED Visits
Current Value
4,277
Definition
This measure shows the mental health-related emergency department visit rate per 10,000 population.
Story Behind the Curve
Data Definition and Methodology: This measure shows the mental health-related emergency department visit rate per 10,000 population.
The data for this metric is obtained from the CRISP Public Health Dashboard tool that uses data from the HSCRC hospital case-mix data. CRISP uses Clinical Classification Software (CCSR) to group ICD-10 diagnostic codes. Mental health conditions are defined using Mental and Behavioral Disorder (MBD) categories MBD001 to MBD034.
Public Health Significance:
While multiple factors have likely contributed to the downward trend, there was a dramatic reduction between 2020 and 2022 during the COVID pandemic, when access to healthcare was reduced generally. The continuing downward trajectory may be related to the increased availability of other options to get help in a crisis, such as 988 and the expansion of mobile crisis and crisis stabilization alternatives. It may also reflect a change in behavior among potential ER users set into motion by the pandemic whereby people may be more likely to use other alternatives to get help.
Contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline if you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.
Additional Resources:
Clear Impact Suite is an easy-to-use, web-based software platform that helps your staff collaborate with external stakeholders and community partners by utilizing the combination of data collection, performance reporting, and program planning.