Behavioral Health Services in the ED: Improving Patient Care While Reducing Strain on Emergency Departments

By: Michelle Gardner, Executive Director of Behavioral Health Services 

Emergency departments (ED) have long served as the front door to healthcare during times of need. Today, they are increasingly becoming the first point of contact for people experiencing a mental health crisis at a time when many health systems are struggling to maintain fully staffed emergency rooms. 

Across New Hampshire, and the nation, emergency departments are seeing a growing number of patients struggling with depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and other behavioral health challenges. For many individuals and families, the ED is the only place available when a mental health crisis occurs after hours, when community resources are unavailable, or when immediate intervention is needed. 

The demand for mental health services in emergency settings has grown significantly in recent years and is estimated to continue rising. Emergency departments are often called upon to provide stabilization, assessment, and connection to ongoing care for these vulnerable patients. 

As behavioral health-related visits increase, they add another dynamic of care for already busy emergency departments. Patients in mental health crisis frequently require extended evaluations, coordination with community providers, and specialized support, often resulting in longer stays in the emergency department. 

Expanding dedicated mental health services within the emergency department can help address these challenges. Behavioral health clinicians provide timely assessments, crisis intervention, and care coordination, ensuring patients receive the most appropriate treatment while reducing unnecessary delays. By connecting patients to outpatient resources, inpatient care when needed, and community-based support services, health systems can improve outcomes while helping emergency departments operate more efficiently. 

At Southern New Hampshire Health, we recognize that addressing behavioral health needs is essential to providing comprehensive, patient-centered care. By integrating behavioral health services into the emergency department, we ensure patients receive timely support during a crisis while connecting them to the resources they need for ongoing care. These efforts not only improve patient experience and outcomes but also help alleviate pressure on our emergency department teams, allowing them to focus on delivering high-quality care. 

Southern New Hampshire Health also has comprehensive inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services available, recognizing that care cannot end with a visit to the Emergency Department. As a not-for-profit health system, we are dedicated to maintaining this level of service for our community. 

Investing in behavioral health resources is not only essential for meeting the growing mental health needs of our communities, but also a critical strategy for supporting emergency departments, improving patient flow, and ensuring that all patients receive the right care at the right time in the right place.