Mental health care is an integral component of a well-functioning health system. Yet for many Canadians, accessing timely and appropriate care during psychiatric emergencies remains a significant challenge. The EmPATH (Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment, and Healing) model offers an innovative solution, with a patient-centred, efficient approach to psychiatric emergency care.
The State of Psychiatric Emergencies in Canada
In Canada, the mental health care system faces growing pressure. Emergency departments (EDs) frequently serve as the first point of contact for individuals experiencing psychiatric crises. A 2021 study published in JAMA Network Open highlights the severity of the issue, noting that psychiatric patients often experience prolonged ED boarding times compared to those with physical health conditions. These extended waits not only delay critical care but also strain hospital resources, which leads to overcrowding and potentially worsening patient outcomes.
Ontario, like many provinces, has seen a surge in demand for mental health services. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated this trend, leaving many hospitals struggling to provide adequate care. Emergency departments are not optimally designed for psychiatric emergencies. They are often lacking the calming environments or specialized staff needed to manage behavioural health crises effectively. This gap underscores the urgency of exploring alternative models, such as the EmPATH units, which could address these shortcomings.
What are EmPATH Units
EmPATH units represent a transformative shift in addressing psychiatric emergencies. As described in research published in Academic Emergency Medicine, these units aim to reduce the strain on emergency departments while improving outcomes for patients in crisis. Instead of being confined to chaotic ED settings, individuals are treated in calming, specially designed spaces equipped with resources to stabilise and support recovery.
The advantages are clear. EmPATH units facilitate faster assessment, often discharging or transferring patients to appropriate care settings within 24 hours. This swift intervention helps prevent hospital overcrowding, reduces healthcare costs, and ensures that individuals in crisis receive compassionate and effective care tailored to their needs. Moreover, these units address the stigma often associated with psychiatric emergencies by fostering a supportive and empathetic environment.
Core Principles of the EmPATH Model
The EmPATH model is built upon several core principles, as outlined in Psychology Today. These principles include a focus on patient-centred care, therapeutic environments, an integrated team approach, rapid access to services, and a focus on recovery. EmPATH units aim to provide a supportive environment for individuals experiencing a psychiatric crisis, with the goal of stabilising patients and connecting them to long-term resources. These units promote a holistic approach to care, addressing not just the immediate symptoms of the crisis, but also the underlying mental health needs that may require further intervention.
Improving Hospital Care for Behavioural Emergencies
Traditional emergency departments are often ill-equipped to handle behavioural health crises effectively. The EmPATH model addresses this by improving both the physical environment and the quality of care. A report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration highlights key strategies for enhancing hospital care, including staff training, integrating behavioural health services with medical care, and designing spaces that reduce stress and anxiety for patients.
These improvements have the potential to not only enhance patient experiences but also empower healthcare providers to deliver more effective and compassionate care. By shifting the focus from containment to recovery, hospitals can create a more inclusive and supportive system for individuals experiencing psychiatric emergencies.
The EmPATH Psychiatric Model in Canada
While the EmPATH model has gained traction in the United States, its adoption in Canada is still in its early stages. Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences has pioneered similar approaches, including the introduction of specialized mental health emergency units. These initiatives demonstrate the feasibility of adapting the EmPATH model to the Canadian context, where universal healthcare and diverse populations present unique challenges and opportunities.
Dr. Scott Zeller, a leading advocate for the EmPATH model, has emphasized its potential to revolutionize psychiatric emergency care in Ontario. By reducing ED boarding times (i.e. length of time spent in ED awaiting transfer to in-patient care) and providing timely, patient-centred care, EmPATH units can address many of the systemic issues currently plaguing the province’s mental health system. Moreover, emphasis on recovery and integration aligns with Canada’s broader commitment to improving mental health outcomes for all citizens.
However, implementing the EmPATH model in Canada requires significant investment and collaboration across federal, provincial, and local levels. Policymakers need to prioritize mental health funding, while hospitals and community organizations need to work together to ensure that the necessary infrastructure, staff, and resources are in place.
A Path Forward
The EmPATH model offers a promising solution to the challenges facing Canada’s mental health care system. By focusing on patient-centred care, therapeutic environments, and rapid access to services, it has the potential to transform how psychiatric emergencies are managed in this country.
For provinces like Ontario, adopting the EmPATH model represents an opportunity to not only improve outcomes for individuals in crisis, but also to reduce the strain on emergency departments and foster a more compassionate and effective mental health care system. With the right support and investment, this innovative approach could pave the way for a brighter future for mental health care in Canada.
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