Publications

Emergency Department Use for Mental Health and Potential Self-Harm

Coloradans living with mental illness don’t always have access to comprehensive services or seek timely care to support their needs. Many efforts are underway in Colorado to improve diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions, reduce stigma related to seeking care, and expand coverage and access to services for those living with mental illness. Despite these efforts, across the state, the Emergency Departments (ED) remain a source of support for many suffering from potentially preventable mental health crises. This custom data set from the Colorado All Payer Claims Database (CO APCD) provides a snapshot of utilization, cost and trends for visits to the ED with mental health or potential self-harm as a primary diagnosis.