Listen to this article
Laura Eskander, M.D., service chief for Sheppard Pratt’s psychiatric urgent care centers, says time is of the essence when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis or in need of urgent treatment.
But, the emergency room may not be the best place to go to receive mental health care quickly. In ERs across Maryland’s hospitals, those in need of urgent psychiatric care spend an average of 6 hours and 50 minutes from the time of arrival through when they leave, according to federal and state reports. And if inpatient care is needed, patients will spend an average of 11 hours in the ER before being admitted.
So if the emergency room isn’t the most viable option, what alternatives are available for patients seeking urgent mental health care? Sheppard Pratt’s psychiatric care centers may be just the answer.
As the largest, private nonprofit psychiatric service provider in the United States, Sheppard Pratt’s efforts to advance mental health care are more crucial than ever amidst a mental health crisis in which available providers and facilities are struggling to meet the skyrocketing demand for treatment. According to the latest report from LexisNexis Risk Solutions, insurance claims for mental health issues increased by 86% from 2019 to 2023, underscoring the escalating need for effective mental health interventions.
RELATED: From opioids to insurance, survey identifies top challenges facing mental health services in Maryland
Innovations in urgent psychiatric care
In response to this need, Sheppard Pratt renovated its Towson hospital’s admissions and psychiatric urgent care spaces last year, expanding its capacity through additional consultation and exam rooms. The renovation came just two years after opening a brand new psychiatric urgent care center in Elkridge. Both urgent care facilities serve as central locations where individuals in need of psychiatric care are assessed and directed to services that best align with their needs.
As nearly one-third of individuals seen at Sheppard Pratt’s psychiatric urgent care centers require hospitalization, the care team will identify an available inpatient bed or schedule a start date for day hospital visits. Those needing outpatient therapy or medication management are referred to the hospital’s call center to make an outpatient appointment.
MORE HEALTH NEWS:
- Rockville’s I-Mab, Bristol Myers Squibb to collaborate on new cancer study
- Reprocell receives funding from MD Stem Cell Research Fund
- FDA advisers reject psychedelic drug MDMA as a PTSD treatment
“We have been a great resource for individuals that have difficulty navigating the mental health system on their own,” Eskander said. “Our turnaround time for connecting individuals to these levels of care is much quicker, and we can help individuals and families avoid an emergency room stay.”
By providing direct and timely care, these facilities streamline the delivery of mental health care, substantially improving access for patients to get the help they need while also alleviating the pressure on already crowded emergency rooms. In 2023 alone, Sheppard Pratt conducted more than 10,000 evaluations with individuals through its two psychiatric urgent care centers — a 66% increase from the previous year.
Collaborative community partnerships
These urgent care centers play a pivotal role in their surrounding communities, as crisis centers, outpatient therapists, psychiatrists and school counselors frequently refer individuals to them. In particular, the Elkridge location, dubbed as Sheppard Pratt’s Baltimore/Washington campus, serves individuals spanning a wide catchment area, including Howard, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Frederick, Carroll and Calvert counties.
Partnerships with local law enforcement and other first responder groups have also been instrumental, such as the Baltimore/Washington psychiatric urgent care center’s new relationship with the Howard County Police Department. The center hosts tours for the department’s police officers to explore the facility and learn about its resources, integrating mental health care into community policing efforts.
Seth Hoffman, the police department’s public information officer, says it’s important for officers to become aware of the Elkridge location, its staff and their procedures. “A tour of the Sheppard Pratt facility has been added to our Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training,” he said. The specialized 40-hour training is aimed at helping officers more effectively and safely interact with people with mental health issues. The department has also included the Elkridge facility on its list of resources that officers distribute to those who may benefit from its services.
In addition to this partnership and its long-standing relationship with Baltimore City and County police departments, Sheppard Pratt operates its mobile crisis services within Frederick and Washington Counties. The mobile crisis teams collaborate with law enforcement, fire and rescue services, and mental health professionals, providing face-to-face emergency response mental health assessments and interventions to de-escalate crisis situations, stabilize patients, and connect them to programs and services.
Addressing challenges beyond state lines
Despite its successes, the high demand for mental health services, along with the shortage of psychiatric beds and clinicians, continues to strain mental health resources. Sheppard Pratt is addressing these issues in ways that span beyond state lines — through cutting-edge research and consulting services.
Answering the need for innovative treatment modalities, Sheppard Pratt conducted a first-of-its kind clinical trial on the therapeutic potential of psilocybin coupled with psychotherapy in treating bipolar II depression. Recently published in JAMA Psychiatry, the study found that 80% of participants achieved remission 12 weeks post-trial, suggesting the safety and efficacy of psilocybin for treating bipolar II depression.
In addition, the hospital launched a consultation and management division, Sheppard Pratt Solutions, in 2021. Their consultants work with hospitals and health systems across the country to increase and expand behavioral healthcare programs and services in communities, offering advice on unique challenges particularly in providing care for underserved areas, both in urban and rural settings.
Sheppard Pratt’s comprehensive response to the mental health crisis through its psychiatric urgent care centers, innovative research and consulting services represents a significant advancement in mental health care. While much more work will be necessary to overcome this crisis, these efforts will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping a healthier, more resilient community.
