Promising Signs for Youth Mental Health Interventions
A recent study highlights the encouraging outcomes of the Crisis and Transition Services (CATS) program developed by the Oregon Health Authority. This community-based initiative aims to assist teenagers experiencing mental health crises, especially those arriving at emergency rooms.
Data indicate that adolescents enrolled in CATS exhibited a significantly lower likelihood of revisiting emergency rooms or requiring inpatient care for psychiatric issues following their initial crisis.
Despite the program not directly decreasing the rates of subsequent suicide attempts, it successfully reduced the hospitalizations related to these attempts. This distinction is critical as it alleviates pressure on emergency departments and enables youths to return to their communities.
The research study, led by Dr. Rebecca Marshall, an associate professor at Oregon Science and Health University, focused on over 500 children aged 11 to 17 who were referred to the CATS program between 2018 and 2020. Marshall noted, ‘Although CATS may not reduce suicide attempts overall, youths in this program were able to return home rather than be hospitalized in an inpatient unit, thereby decreasing the burden placed on EDs.’
Health officials designed the CATS program to address the unique needs of rural adolescents who often lack access to comprehensive psychiatric care available in more urban settings. As Robin Henderson from Providence Oregon stated, ‘If you get in a motorcycle accident in Baker City, that little hospital in Baker City knows exactly what to do. But if a child psychiatric crisis shows up, they would end up reinventing the wheel every time.’
The program serves youths who display severe depression, anxiety, or those who pose a danger to themselves or others. Services include 24/7 crisis response, personalized in-home therapy, and tailored crisis safety plans. The intervention lasts up to 45 days before transitioning youths to longer-term support systems.
In conclusion, the CATS program represents a significant step toward addressing adolescent mental health crises through community-based initiatives. As emphasized by the research team, ‘community-based crisis intervention programs with diverse services may offer a safe and effective alternative to emergency department boarding for high-acuity behavioral health needs.’
For further information, refer to the CATS program guide at Oregon Health & Science University.
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