A number of indicators point to a decline in youth mental health globally over the past 15 years. Access to medical treatment and assistance is becoming increasingly difficult as the social divide is widening due to an imbalance between supply and demand. Hospitalization remains a critical yet costly component of child and adolescent mental health care, reserved for the most severe cases. While necessary in some situations, inpatient treatment carries substantial drawbacks, including family separation and social disruption. This paper discusses if increasing hospital beds across Europe can be the solution to the youth mental health crises by examining differences in the availability of child and adolescent psychiatric hospital beds across Europe. International comparisons reveal striking heterogeneity in hospital beds availability, which does not correlate with improved mental health and behavioral outcomes in young people at the population level. Furthermore, the data does not suggest that this heterogeneity reflects the need to address different levels of psychopathology. Besides the limitations of the currently available data, evidence suggest that effective outpatient and home-based interventions can reduce hospital dependence without compromising treatment efficacy. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted both the vulnerability of traditional services and the growing role of digital mental health support, which adolescents increasingly access via online platforms. Emerging stepped-care and community-based models, including lay-provider interventions, demonstrate potential to expand reach while conserving specialized resources. Given scarce capacity, European-wide recommendations are needed to ensure equitable access to acute care, while integrating innovative, digitally supported, low-threshold services into youth mental health systems.

A number of indicators point to a decline in youth mental health globally over the past 15 years. Access to medical treatment and assistance is becoming increasingly difficult as the social divide is widening due to an imbalance between supply and demand. Hospitalization remains a critical yet costly component of child and adolescent mental health care, reserved for the most severe cases. While necessary in some situations, inpatient treatment carries substantial drawbacks, including family separation and social disruption. This paper discusses if increasing hospital beds across Europe can be the solution to the youth mental health crises by examining differences in the availability of child and adolescent psychiatric hospital beds across Europe. International comparisons reveal striking heterogeneity in hospital beds availability, which does not correlate with improved mental health and behavioral outcomes in young people at the population level. Furthermore, the data does not suggest that this heterogeneity reflects the need to address different levels of psychopathology. Besides the limitations of the currently available data, evidence suggest that effective outpatient and home-based interventions can reduce hospital dependence without compromising treatment efficacy. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted both the vulnerability of traditional services and the growing role of digital mental health support, which adolescents increasingly access via online platforms. Emerging stepped-care and community-based models, including lay-provider interventions, demonstrate potential to expand reach while conserving specialized resources. Given scarce capacity, European-wide recommendations are needed to ensure equitable access to acute care, while integrating innovative, digitally supported, low-threshold services into youth mental health systems.

Abstract Background Home treatment in child and adolescent psychiatry offers an alternative to conventional inpatient treatment by involving the patient’s family, school, and peers more directly in therapy. Although several reviews have summarised existing home treatment programmes, evidence of their effectiveness remains limited and data synthesis is lacking. Methods We conducted a meta-analysis on the effectiveness of home treatment compared with inpatient treatment in child and adolescent psychiatry, based on a systematic search of four databases (PubMed, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Embase). Primary outcomes were psychosocial functioning and psychopathology. Additional outcomes included treatment satisfaction, duration, costs, and readmission rates. Group differences were expressed as standardised mean differences (SMD) in change scores. We used three-level random-effects meta-analysis and meta-regression and conducted both superiority and non-inferiority testing. Results We included 30 studies from 13 non-overlapping samples, providing data from 1795 individuals (mean age: 11.95 ± 2.33 years; 42.5% female). We found no significant differences between home and inpatient treatment for postline psychosocial functioning (SMD = 0.05 [− 0.18; 0.30], p = 0.68, I2 = 98.0%) and psychopathology (SMD = 0.10 [− 0.17; 0.37], p = 0.44, I2 = 98.3%). Similar results were observed from follow-up data and non-inferiority testing. Meta-regression showed better outcomes for patient groups with higher levels of psychopathology at baseline and favoured home treatment over inpatient treatment when only randomised controlled trials were considered. Conclusions This meta-analysis found no evidence that home treatment is less effective than conventional inpatient treatment, highlighting its potential as an effective alternative in child and adolescent psychiatry. The generalisability of these findings is reduced by limitations in the existing literature, and further research is needed to better understand which patients benefit most from home treatment. Trial registration Registered at PROSPERO (CRD42020177558), July 5, 2020.

OBJECTIVE:To compare psychiatric emergencies and self-harm at emergency departments (EDs) 1 year into the pandemic, to early pandemic and pre-pandemic, and to examine the changes in the characteristics of self-harm presentations.METHOD:This retrospective cohort study expanded on the Pandemic-Related Emergency Psychiatric Presentations (PREP-kids) study. Routine record data in March to April of 2019, 2020, and 2021 from 62 EDs in 25 countries were included. ED presentations made by children and adolescents for any mental health reasons were analyzed.RESULTS:Altogether, 8,174 psychiatric presentations were recorded (63.5% female; mean [SD] age, 14.3 [2.6] years), 3,742 of which were self-harm presentations. Rate of psychiatric ED presentations in March to April 2021 was twice as high as in March to April 2020 (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 1.93; 95% CI, 1.60-2.33), and 50% higher than in March to April 2019 (IRR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.25-1.81). Rate of self-harm presentations doubled between March to April 2020 and March to April 2021 (IRR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.68-2.34), and was overall 1.7 times higher than in March to April 2019 (IRR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.44-2.00). Comparing self-harm characteristics in March to April 2021 with March to April 2019, self-harm contributed to a higher proportion of all psychiatric presentations (odds ratio [OR], 1.30; 95% CI, 1.05-1.62), whereas female representation in self-harm presentations doubled (OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.45-2.72) and follow-up appointments were offered 4 times as often (OR, 4.46; 95% CI, 2.32-8.58).CONCLUSION:Increased pediatric ED visits for both self-harm and psychiatric reasons were observed, suggesting potential deterioration in child mental health. Self-harm in girls possibly increased and needs to be prioritized. Clinical services should continue using follow-up appointments to support discharge from EDs.DIVERSITY & INCLUSION STATEMENT:One or more of the authors of this paper self-identifies as a member of one or more historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science. We actively worked to promote inclusion of historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science in our author group. While citing references scientifically relevant for this work, we also actively worked to promote inclusion of historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science in our reference list. The author list of this paper includes contributors from the location and/or community where the research was conducted who participated in the data collection, design, analysis, and/or interpretation of the work.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, provision of care in child and adolescent psychiatry was a challenge: Emergency presentations as well as psychiatric problems in children and adolescents increased, while at the same time capacity of inpatient treatment was reduced due to closed inpatient departments and staff shortage. Altogether quarantine, social distancing, testing and hygenic measures complicated daily life as well as inpatient treatment. This article describes the change in numbers of inpatient emergency admissions and prevalent mental health diagnoseses, as well as the role of hometreatment during Covid-19 pandemic. It can be demonstrated that the hometreatment team was able to operate without reduction of treatment capacities throughout the Covid-19 pandemic as long as they took care that basic hygienic measures were in place, Not one single case of Covid-19 infection was transmitted. Hometreatment proved to be an effective treatment alternative for children and adolescents with mental health problems and their families during Covid-19.

BACKGROUND:Children and young people's (CYP) mental health is worsening, and an increasing number are seeking psychiatric and mental health care. Whilst many CYPs with low-to-medium levels of psychiatric distress can be treated in outpatient services, CYPs in crisis often require inpatient hospital treatment. Although necessary in many cases, inpatient care can be distressing for CYPs and their families. Amongst other things, inpatient stays often isolate CYPs from their support networks and disrupt their education. In response to such limitations, and in order to effectively support CYPs with complex mental health needs, intensive community-based treatment models, which are known in this paper as intensive community care services (ICCS), have been developed. Although ICCS have been developed in a number of settings, there is, at present, little to no consensus of what ICCS entails.METHODS:A group of child and adolescent mental health clinicians, researchers and academics convened in London in January 2023. They met to discuss and agree upon the minimum requirements of ICCS. The discussion was semi-structured and used the Dartmouth Assertive Community Treatment Fidelity Scale as a framework. Following the meeting, the agreed features of ICCS, as described in this paper, were written up.RESULTS:ICCS was defined as a service which provides treatment primarily outside of hospital in community settings such as the school or home. Alongside this, ICCS should provide at least some out-of-hours support, and a minimum of 90% of CYPs should be supported at least twice per week. The maximum caseload should be approximately 5 clients per full time equivalent (FTE), and the minimum number of staff for an ICCS team should be 4 FTE. The group also confirmed the importance of supporting CYPs engagement with their communities and the need to remain flexible in treatment provision. Finally, the importance of robust evaluation utilising tools including the Children's Global Assessment Scale were agreed.CONCLUSIONS:This paper presents the agreed minimum requirements of intensive community-based psychiatric care. Using the parameters laid out herein, clinicians, academics, and related colleagues working in ICCS should seek to further develop the evidence base for this treatment model.

ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Bei belegter Wirksamkeit für alle psychischen Störungen, Vorteilen für die Elternarbeit und Adoleszente ist die Verbreitung der stationsäquivalenten Behandlung (StäB) in der Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie u. a. durch Finanzierungs- und Kodierungsfragen sowie Hemmnisse der Realisierung von Kooperationen noch begrenzt. Diese Arbeit fasst praktische Erfahrungen in der Zusammenarbeit verschiedener Leistungserbringer sowie die aktuellen sozialpolitischen Fragen um StäB einschließlich der regulatorischen Desiderata zusammen.

Abstract Suicide is among the leading causes of death among adolescents and suicide risk is particularly high after discharge from psychiatric inpatient care. Therefore, interventions to reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviours (STBs) among adolescents discharged from psychiatric inpatient care are integral for successful suicide prevention among this group. However, such interventions are scarce. EMIRA aims to close this important gap in mental health services by developing an ecological momentary intervention (i.e., intervention delivered in real-time and within one's natural setting) consisting of a personalized, automatically triggered crisis support smartphone app to reduce STBs after discharge from psychiatric inpatient care among adolescents aged 14-21 years at risk for suicide. First, we will conduct qualitative interviews with adolescents aged 14-21 years who previously experienced STBs, their parents and health care providers to identify their intervention needs and safety concerns regarding ecological momentary assessment (EMA). Next, we will investigate the short-term variability of STBs and their cognitive and physiological risk factors among adolescents aged 14-21 years using EMA (app-based self-report + wrist worn device). Based on our results and past research we will develop a personalized crisis support smartphone app (mobile safety planning) that is not only self-accessible but starts automatically based on the presence of pre-identified STB risk factors. Finally, we will conduct two consecutive studies to test the feasibility, efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the developed ecological momentary intervention in reducing STBs after discharge from psychiatric inpatient care among adolescents aged 14-21 years at risk for suicide. EMIRA has great potential to close a crucial gap in adolescent mental health services and significantly improve suicide prevention among this group.

Background Interface management after inpatient care for mentally ill children and adolescents has been proven to be a breaking point in good transition of care between child and adolescent psychiatry, social welfare services, schools, job centre and the judicial system. Criteria for successful discharge management do not exist in child and adolescent psychiatry. Aim of the study ASpeKT was to survey parents on their perception of interface management and to derive recommendations for discharge management. Methods Data regarding interface management were retrieved from parents (T3,n = 124, T4,n = 81) 6 months (T3) and 12 months (T4) after discharge. Results The parents stated that accessible help after discharge from inpatient treatment is essential for stability and requires a good coordination. Parents named that they perceived helpful for successful interface management: a case manager, early round table meetings, support in returning to school, seamless access to outpatient follow-up appointments as well as information on further treatment options and contact data. Conclusion From the perspective of affected families a proactive early individual and reliable care coordination by a constant contact person is essential for a good discharge management.

Provision of care for children with mental health disorders or behavioural difficulties differs from country to country. Historically, Germany has the highest number of inpatient beds throughout Europe (64 inpatient beds per 100,000 young people). In addition, nearly 146 departments for child and adolescent psychiatry offer day-care beds as well as ambulatory care. A high number of resident child and adolescent psychiatrists/psychotherapists (more than 12,000 professionals) complement provision of care in the different regions of Germany. Yet, only 50% of children and adolescents with mental health problems receive the treatment they need. Barriers to care - for example lack of transportation, fear of stigmatization, long distances in rural regions or fear of long hospital inpatient stays - keep families from presenting their child/adolescent to the relevant institutions. Recently, a new treatment module: StäB, an intensive daily home treatment, delivered by a multiprofessional team, has been added to the portfolio of treatment options in Germany. This closes the gap between highly intensive inpatient care and low-frequency outpatient treatment, allowing a continuum of care in intensity and frequency within the treatment alternatives.

„Gemeinsamer Bericht“ der Selbstverwaltung über StäBStellungnahme der DGKJP zum „Gemeinsamen Bericht über die Auswirkungen der stationsäquivalenten psychiatrischen Behandlung im häuslichen Umfeld auf die Versorgung der Patientinnen und Patienten einschließlich der finanziellen Auswirkungen gemäß § 115d Absatz 4 SGB V“Isabel Boege, Renate Schepker, Tobias Renner, Michael Kölch, and Vorstand der DGKJPIsabel BoegeDGKJP GeschäftsstelleSearch for more papers by this author, Renate SchepkerDGKJP GeschäftsstelleSearch for more papers by this author, Tobias RennerDGKJP GeschäftsstelleSearch for more papers by this author, Michael KölchDGKJP GeschäftsstelleSearch for more papers by this author, and Vorstand der DGKJPGeschäftsstelle der DGKJP, Reinhardtstr. 27b, 10117 Berlin, Deutschlandgeschaeftsstelle@dgkjp.deDGKJP GeschäftsstelleSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:May 06, 2022https://doi.org/10.1024/1422-4917/a000873PDFView Full Text ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInReddit SectionsMoreFiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 50Issue 3May 2022ISSN: 1422-4917eISSN: 1664-2880 Published online06. Mai 2022 InformationZeitschrift für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie (2022), 50, pp. 248-251 https://doi.org/10.1024/1422-4917/a000873.© 2022Hogrefe AGPDF download

BACKGROUND Admission rates to child and adolescent mental health inpatient units in Germany are substantial (58.831 admissions in 2019). Historically, different treatment pathways have not been available. The evidence suggests that home treatment could be an alternative. The objective of this study was to assess the long-term stability of treatment gains among children and adolescents treated for serious mental health problems with home treatment (HT) as compared with inpatient treatment-as-usual (TAU). METHODS Hundred patients were enrolled and randomized into an intervention (HT n = 54) and control group (TAU n = 46). Follow-up data were available after 8.4 months (n = 78) (T3) and after 4.3 years (n = 51) (T4). The primary outcome measured was overall level of functioning, for which the Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) was used. Secondary outcomes included severity of patient impairment and parental competency in dealing with their child's symptoms, measured using the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOSCA). A qualitative interview with parents was performed at T3 and T4. RESULTS Treatment effects remained stable for both groups at T3 and T4 (p < .001). After 4.3 years 70% of the parents in the intervention group stated satisfaction with the treatment received, while only 36.8% of the parents within the control group rated themselves as satisfied. 43.7% of parents in the home treatment group reported that the most helpful aspect of this pathway was the prompt and intensive professional help and advice they received as primary caregivers at home. CONCLUSIONS Home treatment may be considered a viable alternative to inpatient care.

Non-suicidal-self-injury (NSSI) in adolescents needing inpatient treatment is a serious health risk behaviour. NSSI-specific treatment programs for inpatients hardly exist. “Cut the Cut” (CTC) is a new treatment program in intervals, addressing this problem. Aim of this pilot-study was to evaluate acceptability and feasibility of CTC. 23 female inpatients (12 CTC, 11 control, aged 15–17; mean = 16.80, SD.70) engaging in NSSI were evaluated for service user satisfaction, frequency, and severity of NSSI at T1 (admission), T2 (discharge after interval 1, CTC-group) and T3 (discharge). A qualitative interview was performed at T3. Significant improvement in NSSI-frequency was given (T1–T3: CTC p = 0.010; control p = 0.038). Severity of NSSI reduced slightly (mild NSSI: CTC p = 0.022, control p = 0.087; severe NSSI: CTC p = 0.111, control p = 0.066). Satisfaction of parents (T3 mean 28.38) and adolescents (T3 mean 26.11) in CTC was rated high. CTC is a feasible treatment option for inpatients engaging in NSSI. Further studies over time are needed. Trial registration Number DRKS00016762, 05.03.2019, retrospectively registered

Objective: "Child and adolescent psychiatric ward-equivalent treatment" (= stationsaquivalente Behandlung, StaB) is an intensive daily home treatment that has now become available in Germany. Conditions for StaB services were negotiated were negotiated, authorized and came into force by German healthcare commissioners and hospitals on 1 January 2018. However, to date few hospitals in Germany offer StaB, and its feasibility has been questioned. This study evaluates the first 58 cases of StaB in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, ZfP Sudwurttemberg (2018-2019). Method: All patients admitted consecutively to StaB from 1 January 2018 to 15 August 2019 were included and evaluated solely using descriptive analyses in SPSS.25. Results: The average length of stay in StaB was 37.95 days (SD 15.35).86.2% of the families completed treatment, with 3 patients discontinuing treatment and 5 patients needing inpatient admission. Unlike in the literature, internalising disorders predominated (70.7 %), whereas externalizing disorders were diagnosed in only 27.8% of the patients. The cost of treatment in StaB was on average 8779.25 (sic). Conclusions: StaB is a viable and well-accepted new treatment alternative for patients requiring inpatient admission. The multiprofessionality of treatment as well as daily contacts are required. Feasibility under the conditions set is given. The average length of stay is slightly longer, but the costs are lower than those of inpatient treatment.

From home treatment to psychiatric ward-equivalent treatment (StäB) - A systematic review of outpatient treatment in Germany Abstract. Objective: In the past, home treatment was not available in Germany for children and adolescents with mental health problems. However, enactment of the PsychVVG law on 1 January 2017 has changed this, so that intensive home treatment (stationsäquivalente Behandlung, StäB) can now be offered as an alternative to inpatient treatment. This literature review a) analyzes existing German home treatment studies for effectiveness, b) determines from international reviews criteria for effective home treatment, and c) aligns these with the standardized StäB criteria. Method: We performed a systematic literature search in PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library referencing "hometreatment AND children" as well as "hometreatment AND adolesc*. Results: Flexibility, mobility, multiprofessionality, a wide spectrum of possible interventions, the option of inpatient admission, 24/7 availability as well as daily treatment sessions have been found to be factors for effective home treatment. In German studies, home treatment was shown to enhance psychosocial functioning, parental competences, long-term effectiveness, and acceptance by the families. The highest effect for home treatment was demonstrated in children and adolescents with externalizing disorders. Conclusion: Intensive home treatment (StäB) meets the criteria identified in the literature and is a good addition to existing treatment options for children and adolescents with mental health problems in Germany.

Zusammenfassung. Fragestellung: Aufsuchende stationsäquivalente Behandlung (StäB) ist seit dem 01.01.2017 in Deutschland möglich und seit dem 01.01.2018 abrechenbar. Dennoch wird StäB unter Infragestellung der Machbarkeit der Rahmenbedingungen derzeit nur an wenigen Standorten der Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie in Deutschland regelhaft angeboten. Ziel war es, anhand der ersten 58 stationsäquivalent behandelten Kinder und Jugendlichen am ZfP Südwürttemberg (2018–2019) die Machbarkeit und Kosten von StäB zu evaluieren. Methodik: Es wurden alle seit dem 01.01.2018 konsekutiv stationsäquivalent behandelten Fälle eingeschlossen und anhand von rein deskriptiven Analysen in SPSS.25 evaluiert. Ergebnisse: Die durchschnittliche Behandlungsdauer betrug 37.95 Tage (SD 15.35), 86.2 % aller Familien beendeten die Behandlung regelgerecht, es kam nur bei drei Patientinnen und Patienten zu einem einvernehmlichen Behandlungsabbruch, fünf mussten in eine stationäre Behandlung verlegt werden. Es wurden primär internalisierende Störungen indiziert (70.7 %), während externalisierende Störungen nur ein Viertel der Behandlungsfälle ausmachten (27.8 %). Kosten einer StäB beliefen sich im Durchschnitt auf 8779,25 €. Schlussfolgerungen: StäB stellt eine neue Behandlungsform im familiären Umfeld dar, welche täglich stattfindet. Multiprofessionalität der Behandlung ist Voraussetzung. Eine Umsetzung in den gegebenen Rahmenbedingungen ist möglich. Eine Akzeptanz von den Familien ist gegeben, die durchschnittliche Behandlungsdauer liegt leicht über dem stationären Bundesdurchschnitt.

Zusammenfassung. Fragestellung: Hometreatment war trotz ausreichend vorhandener Evidenz lange Jahre aufgrund klarer Sektorengrenzen zwischen ambulanten und stationären Maßnahmen keine Behandlungsoption für psychisch erkrankte Kinder und Jugendliche in Deutschland. Seit dem Inkrafttreten des „Gesetzes zur Weiterentwicklung der Versorgung und der Vergütung für psychiatrische und psychosomatische Leistungen“ (PsychVVG) am 01.01.2017 kann nun alternativ zu einer stationären Aufnahme eine stationsäquivalente Behandlung (StäB) mit täglichen Kontakten zu Hause angeboten werden. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, anhand einer systematischen Literaturrecherche zu Hometreatment von Kindern und Jugendlichen a) mittels bisheriger deutscher Studien die in Deutschland aufgezeigte Effektivität von Hometreatment darzulegen, b) mittels internationaler Reviews Kriterien für effektives Hometreatment zu definieren und c) beides mit dem Angebot StäB abzugleichen. Methode: Systematische Literaturrecherche in den Datenbanken PubMed, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO und Scopus mit den Suchbegriffen „hometreatment“ AND „children“ bzw. „hometreatment“ AND „adolesc*“. Ergebnisse: Flexibilität, Mobilität, Multidisziplinarität, breites Angebot an Interventionen, Zugang zu Möglichkeiten stationärer Behandlung, ständige Erreichbarkeit (24 Stunden an 7 Tagen in der Woche) sowie täglich ein Kontakt wurde in den Reviews für gelingendes Hometreatment definiert. Auch deutsche Studien zeigten Effektivität: Das Funktionsniveau der Patientinnen und Patienten stieg, die elterliche Kompetenz wuchs, Behandlungsergebnisse blieben stabil, Akzeptanz in Familien bestand. Als besonders effektiv wurde Hometreatment bei externalisierenden Störungen nachgewiesen. Schlussfolgerung: StäB hat mit den vorgegebenen Rahmenbedingungen gute Voraussetzungen, das breite Angebot der Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie in Deutschland mit einem effektiven Behandlungsangebot zu ergänzen.