Bringing a teenager to the emergency room for a mental health crisis can feel overwhelming and scary. It’s never something we anticipate or want to do. But when the situation happens, knowing how to advocate for your teenager can make a world of difference, especially when it comes to developing a long-term solution. But what does it really mean to advocate for your child? And how do you do it?

Whether your child is in the ER due to a panic attack, substance abuse, psychosis, a suicide attempt, or otherwise, we have some tips to help make the experience a bit smoother and easier to manage.

A Trip to the Emergency Room is About Keeping Your Teen Safe

First, we want to make sure you know you are not alone as a parent. Recent data tells us that for every 100,000 visits to the emergency department (ED), an estimated 5,215 are due to mental health. Adolescents ages 12 to 17 visit emergency rooms for mental health related issues far more than any other age group, according to CDC data. Many parents have sat in the same chair that you have. They have experienced the same anxiety and the same fears. But most importantly, they have shared the same goal as you: to keep your teenager safe.

And that’s what a trip to the emergency room is all about. During your visit, an ER doctor won’t diagnose your child. Rather, they will ask both you and your child questions. These questions are designed to assess the situation as thoroughly as possible and determine the best next course of action.

This is where your role comes in: to help serve as your teenager’s best advocate. So now, let’s look at what that means.

1. Stay Calm and Present During the Visit

It’s easy to become overwhelmed when your teen is screaming, threatening to harm themselves, or has no control over their emotions. However, this is when your teenager absolutely needs you to be calm, centered, and present. Not only will this help the doctors and emergency department staff to get the information they need, but your child will often look to you for cues.

Here are some things you can do to keep yourself in the moment.

• Sit close to your teen when possible.
• Offer simple reassurance like “I’m here with you.”
• Give them space if they seem overwhelmed.

2. Share Honest and Complete Information

Some parents may overlook or undervalue certain details when providing a doctor with information. But the medical team is relying on you to provide as much accurate information as possible. Even if something seems small, it can be a helpful detail. Think about what may have triggered an outburst. Try to be as honest with the ED staff as you can. Don’t hold information back, even if it might be embarrassing. This isn’t the time to think about how a nurse or doctore may judge your parenting skills. It’s the time to address your teens symptoms and keep them safe. Remember, doctors are professionals trained to assess large amounts of information.

So, be sure to include the following when conveying the situation that led you to the hospital visit.

• Recent changes in your teen’s mood or behavior
• Any medications or substances that they might be taking
• Past diagnoses that your child has received from other medical professionals
• The behaviors and/or situation that led up to the visit

3. Ask Questions and Take Notes

Just as the doctor is trying to best get a handle on the situation, so are you. And that means that you should never hesitate to ask questions. You should also feel comfortable taking notes. Doing so not only broadens the medical team’s perspective but also helps you advocate for your child and stay focused on the situation at hand.

Here are some questions to ask.

• What is being assessed right now?
• What happens after this visit?
• If we’re going home, what warning signs should we be on the lookout for?
• How should we follow up to make sure this doesn’t happen again?

Also, if you are not getting clear answers to your questions, ask the doctor to explain things to you more simply. And never hesitate to ask for another doctor if you feel you and your child are not being seen or heard.

4. Respect Your Teen’s Voice While Offering Support

In many cases, your teenager will be able to speak on their own behalf. And we encourage you to do so when that happens. Other times, your teen may be scared, embarrassed, or resistant to participating in what’s happening. Ask them what they want. Remind them you care about them, and only want what’s best for them. In this situation, try to balance things out by giving them a voice and stepping in when needed.

Here is what that might look like.

• Let them answer questions when they feel comfortable
• Validate their feelings, but don’t dismiss them
• Step in if your child is unable to explain what’s happening

5. Understand Possible Outcomes

Not every ER visit will have the same ending. So, be open-minded to what might come next rather than closing yourself off. Taking this approach can help you feel more prepared and can help you best advocate for your child.

That said, here are some of the most common outcomes tied to mental health-related trips to the emergency room.

• Discharge with a safety plan and referrals
• Recommendation for outpatient therapy
• Admission to a higher level of care, such as a partial hospitalization program

Know that regardless of the path recommended, each one is intended to support your teen based on their needs at that time.

6. Follow-Up with Continued Mental Health Support

Whatever you do, avoid the temptation to consider this visit as a one-and-done. It’s very rare that your child won’t need additional support. In the majority of situations, ongoing care is what will be needed to help your child heal and move forward.

Here’s what to do.

• Schedule follow-up appointments as soon as possible
• Look into structured programs if more support is needed
• Keep communication open at home

Know that You’re Not Alone

As we said before, partnering with your child on overcoming a mental health concern can be overwhelming. But you are not in this alone. Sure, you may second-guess what you should say, or you may fear that you will make a wrong decision. But know that what really matters is that you showed up for your child when they needed you most.

At Embrace U Adolescent Mental Health, we work with families across Tennessee who are facing situations just like this. Our intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs are designed for teens ages 10 to 18 who need more support after a crisis.

If your family is looking for guidance after an ER visit, our team is here to help you take the next step. Reach out today to learn more about how we can support your teen’s path forward.