Toward a Quality Standard for Emergency Departments: A Commentary on Improving Mental Health and Substance Use Care for Youth in Canada

AI Summary

Establish quality standards and improve ED care environments to better meet the increasing mental health and substance use needs of youth (ages 12-24).
Implement timely, comprehensive mental health and substance use assessments in EDs to identify risks and inform immediate care decisions for youth.
Deliver treatment aligned with youths' goals, needs and preferences, and ensure prompt referral pathways to appropriate follow-up services.

AI Summary

Based on existing evidence and insights from a technical committee of 14 Canadian experts (youth, caregivers, service providers and decision-makers), we outline four key priority areas for improving care in emergency department settings and recommendations for implementation.

This includes improving the care environment; appropriate and timely mental health and substance use assessment; treatment based on youths' goals, needs, preferences and circumstances; and referral to appropriate services.

Basic summary

Healthc Q. 2026 Apr;29(1):62-65. doi: 10.12927/hcq.2026.27865.

ABSTRACT

Mental health and substance use-related emergency department visits are increasingly common among youth (ages 12-24 years); however, there are no standards or guidelines for providing quality care and referral to appropriate services. Based on existing evidence and insights from a technical committee of 14 Canadian experts (youth, caregivers, service providers and decision-makers), we outline four key priority areas for improving care in emergency department settings and recommendations for implementation. This includes improving the care environment; appropriate and timely mental health and substance use assessment; treatment based on youths’ goals, needs, preferences and circumstances; and referral to appropriate services.

PMID:42339636 | DOI:10.12927/hcq.2026.27865

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