Short term involuntary psychiatric examination of children in Florida.
This study describes the use of emergency mental health services by children over a 4-year period. Analysis of a statewide database revealed 51,861 or 15% of all involuntary examinations were conducted on children. These youth were on average a little over 14 years of age and law enforcement officials initiated the majority of examinations. The majority of examinations were initiated due to the children demonstrating harmful behaviors to themselves or others. One-fifth of the children (21%) experienced more than one examination over the 4-year period. Areas of future research on this topic are discussed. The implications of the nature of examinations and patterns of repeated examinations are discussed.
Christy
Annette
A
Department of Mental Health Law and Policy, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida, 13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, MHC2335, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA. achristy@fmhi.usf.edu
Kutash
Krista
K
Stiles
Paul
P
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003617:Dangerous Behavior; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004637:Emergency Services, Psychiatric; D005431:Florida; D006801:Humans; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care