When a behavioral health crisis strikes, the emergency room is often the first place people turn for help. While emergency departments (EDs) are essential for treating physical trauma and acute medical conditions, they are not equipped to address the complex needs of individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.
This overreliance on EDs overwhelms already strained healthcare facilities, diverts critical resources from essential services, and drives up long-term inpatient costs. On average, it costs approximately $2,700 per day to board a behavioral health patient in an ED, often for 18 hours or more before they even see a provider. These extended stays consume valuable space and staff time, delay care for others, and contribute to burnout among frontline healthcare workers.
Across the country, emergency rooms are operating at or above capacity. Behavioral health patients—who often require extended evaluations and specialized support—add significant strain. This leads to bottlenecks that ripple throughout the system, causing longer wait times and reduced access to timely care for all patients.
ED staff are not typically trained in behavioral health care. Without the right expertise or resources, patients may receive only temporary stabilization rather than the comprehensive treatment needed for long-term recovery. This gap in care results in repeated ER visits, cycling individuals through a system that cannot truly meet their needs.
From a financial perspective, ER-based care is one of the most expensive ways to respond to behavioral health crises. These high costs burden both healthcare systems and patients—without resolving the root causes of the crisis. The result is a cycle of recurring expenses that divert funding from more effective and sustainable solutions.
The human toll is just as severe. For individuals in crisis, the emergency room can be a loud, chaotic, and isolating place that worsens their distress. Families, too, are left to navigate a fragmented system with little support or guidance.
A smarter way forward
Connections offers a smarter, more compassionate alternative. Our crisis stabilization centers provide specialized care tailored to behavioral health emergencies. Unlike ERs, our centers are designed to create a calm, supportive environment where individuals receive immediate, effective treatment from behavioral health experts.
It's time for a better response to behavioral health crises. Moving away from emergency room dependence and toward community-centered solutions will alleviate systemic pressures, reduce costs, and, most importantly, improve outcomes for patients and families.
Learn more about how crisis response centers are saving money while transforming behavioral health outcomes. Hear from leading experts at our upcoming webinar on August 20th at 3pm EST. Register today to secure your spot!