Mental Health ER Offers Calmer Crisis Care

An innovative emergency psychiatric assessment, treatment, and healing unit, known as EmPATH, has been revolutionizing mental health crisis care at M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina, Minnesota. This first-of-its-kind facility in the state has successfully helped over 10,000 individuals in crisis during its five years of operation by offering a more therapeutic and communal environment.

The EmPATH unit is designed to be a stark contrast to typical emergency departments, featuring a living room-like setting with recliners, weighted blankets, sensory rooms, and access to group therapy and psychiatric medications. This focus on time-limited therapy and medication has significantly improved patient outcomes. Patients typically stay between 26 to 33 hours, during which inpatient psychiatric hospitalizations have plummeted from as high as 40% to just 6%, with less than 17% of patients returning to the ER.

While private insurers largely cover this model, advocates are pushing for Medicaid and Medicare to provide similar support for its expansion. The goal is for EmPATH units to become a staple in every community, enabling more people to begin healing and gain independence. Currently, three EmPATH units are operational across Minnesota through various providers, indicating a growing recognition of this effective approach to mental health crisis intervention.