A crisis is bubbling up in our children, threatening their health and their lives.
The number of children held for a mental health crisis at Golisano Children’s Hospital increased 65% in the last two months of 2020.
Months of anxiety, lockdown, and loneliness are taking a toll on children’s mental health.
“I think we are going to see a lot more complications from COVID beyond the illness,” explained Dr. Emad Salman. “Only time will tell the impact will have on both kids and adults.”
In 2019, 150 children brought into Golisano Children’s Hospital were classified as a Baker Act. A Baker Act is a law that, “enables families and loved ones to provide emergency mental health services and temporary detention for people who are impaired because of their mental illness, and who are unable to determine their needs for treatment,” according to University of Florida Health.
During the pandemic in 2020, that number grew to 210 children, which is a 36% increase.
In a Baker Act, after children are physically cleared from the hospital, they’re transferred to a state approved mental healthcare facility for up to three days.
“It is upsetting because medically we’ve done everything we can for them,” Dr. Salman said. “They are not at risk from the ingestion or from hurting themselves. They are still a suicide risk and they need the care they should get and they’re not able to get it because our facilities are full.”
There are some resources in Lee County for children who need mental health treatment, but not many.
In 2016, Kids’ Minds Matter was created to raise awareness about the need for pediatric mental and behavioral health care services. It also raises the funds required to make services available through Golisano Children’s Hospital and Lee Health.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or suicidal thoughts, they can call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
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