Lorin Browne, Medical College of Wisconsin
Maureen Luetje, Medical College of Wisconsin, Pediatric Emergency Medicine Division
Jennifer Zaspel, Medical College of Wisconsin, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine
Children and youth experiencing mental and behavioral health (MBH) crises present unique challenges for EMS providers and emergency clinicians. This course equips participants with the knowledge, skills, and frameworks needed to respond effectively, safely, and compassionately in these situations. The session begins with recognition of MBH crises in children and youth, emphasizing assessment skills within a Trauma Informed Care framework. Participants will explore how to recognize signs of crisis, apply safe response strategies, and appreciate the lived experiences of patients and families. The discussion also highlights the impact of repeated exposure to these emergencies on providers, underscoring the importance of self-awareness and resilience. From there, the course focuses on managing agitation, aggression, and behavioral outbursts. Attendees will learn to differentiate high-risk behaviors, apply introductory de-escalation strategies, and understand safe, age-appropriate physical restraint techniques when necessary. The session then addresses self-harm and suicidality, with emphasis on identifying risk factors, recognizing clinical cues, and ensuring patient safety while preserving dignity and autonomy. Finally, participants will examine the systems of care that influence safe disposition for children and youth in crisis. This includes an overview of available resources, common barriers to consistent high-quality MBH care across Wisconsin, and practical strategies for overcoming these challenges to achieve safe, coordinated outcomes. By the end of the course, attendees will be better prepared to provide emergency care that is clinically sound, trauma-informed, and empathetic—while safeguarding the well-being of both patients and providers.
Â
Workshop Price: $50*
***Thanks to funding provided by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services through the Pediatric Mental Health Care Access (PMHCA) Grant to the Children's Health Alliance of Wisconsin, this pre-conference workshop is offered at a reduced registration fee. The goal of the PMHCA grant is to expand youth mental health response by promoting behavioral health integration into pediatric care. The funding is intended to extend education and resources to health care providers in emergency departments and EMS, ensuring more effective support for pediatric mental health needs.***
840 Armed Forces Dr
Ashwaubenon, WI 54304
United States
1. Recognize youth and children experiencing mental and behavioral health (MBH) crises
2. Understand general principles necessary to safely assess and respond to clinical situations involving children and youth in crisis
3. Understand the concept of Trauma Informed Care and how it applies to the emergency care of children and youth in crisis
4. Describe the lived experiences of patients and families during a mental or behavioral health crisis requiring emergency care and identify the role of provider communication and empathy in responding to these events
5. Understand the impact of repeated exposure to mental and behavioral health crises on emergency providers and the importance of self-awareness in recognizing personal signs of emotional and psychological strain
6. Understand pediatric medical conditions that may predispose youth and children to behavioral outbursts
7. Quickly differentiate agitation and aggressive behavior that may place patients, family, providers, or others at risk
8. Understand and appropriately apply introductory de-escalation principles in response to agitated or aggressive youth and children
9. Understand indications and demonstrate safe utilization of age-appropriate physical restraint methods
10. Understand key factors that predispose self-harm and suicidal ideations in children and youth
11. Recognize and assess clinical cues of children and youth at immediate risk of self-harm behavior
12. Demonstrate techniques to ensure patient safety while minimizing actions that deprive patients of choice and autonomy
13. Understand the factors that impact safe disposition of children and youth in crisis
14. Demonstrate general understanding of resources available to support the emergency care of children and youth in crisis including those involved in safe disposition and care plans
15. Understand the challenges in delivering consistent high quality mental and behavioral health care to all Wisconsin children and explore techniques to overcome these challenges