More youth being admitted to London's ER for mental health treatment
LHSC's head child and adolescent psychiatrist describes sicker patients needing more specialized care
The London region's largest hospital is seeing more young people being admitted to the hospital for mental health care as suicide attempts, self-harm and drug use increase, particularly among young teenage girls.
The London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) said almost 30 per cent of children and adolescents given a bed at Victoria Hospital last year were in psychological distress. Of the 101 patients admitted in 2024, more were sicker and needed to stay in the hospital longer.
"Inpatient hospitalizations have increased in volume but also significantly in complexity," the head of LHSC's pediatric psychiatry department, Dr. Patricia Hall, said Wednesday in a community presentation.
"This is reflected in behavioural issues, self-harm and suicidality. The pandemic intensified the issues, especially for females ages 15 to 17."
The statistics from the London hospital match what other experts are saying is a troubling trend in deteriorating youth mental health. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto has been conducting a survey with Ontario students in grades 7 to 12 for more than 40 years.
Last year, of the more than 10,000 students who took the questionnaire, 19 per cent said they'd engaged in self-harm and 18 per cent had serious thoughts about suicide.
"We are seeing increased substance use and a broader range of drugs in this [youth] group. We're seeing financial strain, housing and food instability. We're seeing more cases involving trauma, and that can include children who have experienced war and trafficking," Dr. Hall said.
Hospital stays 'surge'
LHSC keeps track of the number of days patients stay in hospital for care, and in the last five years, youth are staying longer.
Between 2019 and 2024, inpatient hospitalization days increased by:
- 43 per cent in the paediatric intensive care
- 36 per cent in the acute care unit
- 45 per cent in specialized, long-term care
The waitlist for help at LHSC is currently four to six months, but it is getting shorter thanks to new hires and changes to services, Dr. Hall said.
In June, a patient could wait a year for general help, and approximately 18 months for more specialized treatment such as mood and anxiety therapy.
"We're seeing a growing demand, more acuity and growing barriers to discharge due to limited post-hospital care options," Dr. Hall said.
Hospital hires to help
LHSC said it has added a mental health team to the emergency department that includes a nurse, a social worker and youth councillor. It's also recruiting more psychiatrists, including hiring four more for inpatient care, bringing the total number of doctors to six.
Dr. Hall said another area that's helping to treat patients is more group therapy sessions.
"We are encouraged that more youth are seeking care because it's a sign of growing trust in the system and a greater awareness of mental health needs," Hall said.
If you or someone you know is struggling, here's where to get help:
- Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 988
- Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 (phone), live chat counselling on the website.
- Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: Find a 24-hour crisis centre.
- This guide from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health outlines how to talk about suicide with someone you're worried about.