What qualifies as a mental health emergency for a child or teenager?

A mental health emergency includes any emotional or behavioral crisis that results in them potentially being a danger to self or others. Examples can include severe anxiety, depression, psychosis, suicidal thoughts, or self-harm.

What should I do if a child is having a mental health crisis right now?

If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

What should I bring if my child is going to the EmPATH emergency department?

The most important thing is that your child arrives to the emergency department as soon as possible if they are in crisis. If you can, please bring identification, insurance information, medication list, and relevant medical history.

Is the EmPATH Unit different from a regular emergency room?

Yes. Unlike a traditional emergency room, the EmPATH Unit is a dedicated space designed specifically for children and adolescents experiencing psychiatric emergencies. It offers a calmer, therapeutic environment focused on rapid stabilization, reducing the stress of a standard ER setting for both patients and families.

How long do patients typically stay in the EmPATH Unit?

Length of stay in the EmPATH Unit varies by patient. Most psychiatric emergencies in children and adolescents can be stabilized within 24 hours, though some patients may require additional time. Our team will keep you informed throughout the process and work toward the safest transition plan.

What happens after a child leaves the EmPATH Unit?

Next steps after leaving the EmPATH Unit depend on a child's clinical needs and are decided collaboratively by patients, caregivers, and the clinical team. Most children and teens are able to return home with a follow-up plan. Some may need transfer to an inpatient facility. For patients going home, outpatient psychiatric follow-up is typically recommended. Those with an existing provider will return to their care. Patients without an established provider will be referred to Stamford Health's PATHways Program .

Will my child need to stay in the hospital overnight? Is there anything they should bring?

Some patients in the EmPATH Unit will require an overnight stay depending on their needs. If you expect your child may stay, bring only essential comfort items such as a change of clothes, a favorite book, or a comfort object. Devices and valuables should be left at home.

Kids & Teens Emergency Psychiatric Care (EmPATH Unit)

What Is An EmPATH Unit?

Stamford Health is proud to introduce the first child and adolescent EmPATH Unit in the state of Connecticut, designed to provide immediate, compassionate, and evidence-based care for children and teens experiencing acute psychiatric emergencies. EmPATH stands for “Emergency Psychiatry Assessment, Treatment and Healing."

Our EmPATH Unit offers a calming, therapeutic space for patients in emotional crisis. In this unit, we offer emergency psychiatric assessment and care within the Emergency Department, but in a separate dedicated space designed to facilitate healing for children and teens.

Take A Look Inside Our EmPATH Unit

The Bennett Child & Adolescent EmPATH Unit was designed specifically for children and teens.

From the moment a patient enters the EmPATH Unit, they are welcomed into a thoughtfully designed environment that promotes comfort, safety, and healing. Bright, open hallways and calming surroundings help reduce stress and create a sense of ease during a difficult time.
At the heart of Stamford Health’s Bennett Child & Adolescent EmPATH Unit is an open and calm room with comfortable chairs where patients can move about freely and receive immediate, compassionate support from the staff nearby.
The sensory room is designed to be a space where patients can self-soothe away from other patients or staff. It is designed as a calming environment with music and relaxation apps for patients to interact with.
Patients will sleep in their own rooms, which are designed to make children and teens feel at ease with murals and friendly colors.

What Patients & Parents Can Expect In The EmPATH Unit

After a patient has been medically evaluated and cleared in the Emergency Department patients will be transitioned into the EmPATH Unit where the behavioral health team will provide care. This dedicated team of mental health professionals will work with patients and families to provide empathetic, sensitive, and therapeutic support and medical management.

Parents will work with the behavioral health team on the initial assessment of their child’s health and provide background on their child’s health history and medical needs.
EmPATH Unit patients will be given scrubs, and they will be provided with a locker for their personal belongings.
Cell phones or other smart devices are not permitted for EmPATH Unit patients. While parents or caregivers may bring their devices when visiting the EmPATH Unit, they may not allow EmPATH Unit patients to use these devices.
Each patient will have a maximum of two visitors a day and will be limited to parents or guardians.
The EmPATH Unit care team will include patients in appropriate supervised and safe activities such as coloring, games, limited and pre-approved activities, and shows on hospital-approved devices.
Meals will be provided from a special menu as no utensils are permitted.

Outpatient Support: Learn About The Bennett Child & Adolescent PATHways Program

Once patients leave the EmPATH Unit, they will receive follow-up care for up to 12 weeks through our Psychiatry Assessment Treatment and Healing (PATHways) Program at 260 Long Ridge Road in Stamford. Here, the same behavioral health team from the EmPATH Unit will provide outpatient support to patients with the goal of stabilizing them and transitioning them to long-term outpatient care in our community. This short-term outpatient program helps support ongoing mental health stabilization after a psychiatric emergency.

FAQs About The EmPATH Unit

What qualifies as a mental health emergency for a child or teenager?

A mental health emergency includes any emotional or behavioral crisis that results in them potentially being a danger to self or others. Examples can include severe anxiety, depression, psychosis, suicidal thoughts, or self-harm.
What should I do if a child is having a mental health crisis right now?

If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
What should I bring if my child is going to the EmPATH emergency department?

The most important thing is that your child arrives to the emergency department as soon as possible if they are in crisis. If you can, please bring identification, insurance information, medication list, and relevant medical history.
Is the EmPATH Unit different from a regular emergency room?

Yes. Unlike a traditional emergency room, the EmPATH Unit is a dedicated space designed specifically for children and adolescents experiencing psychiatric emergencies. It offers a calmer, therapeutic environment focused on rapid stabilization, reducing the stress of a standard ER setting for both patients and families.
How long do patients typically stay in the EmPATH Unit?

Length of stay in the EmPATH Unit varies by patient. Most psychiatric emergencies in children and adolescents can be stabilized within 24 hours, though some patients may require additional time. Our team will keep you informed throughout the process and work toward the safest transition plan.
What happens after a child leaves the EmPATH Unit?

Next steps after leaving the EmPATH Unit depend on a child's clinical needs and are decided collaboratively by patients, caregivers, and the clinical team. Most children and teens are able to return home with a follow-up plan. Some may need transfer to an inpatient facility.

For patients going home, outpatient psychiatric follow-up is typically recommended. Those with an existing provider will return to their care. Patients without an established provider will be referred to Stamford Health's PATHways Program.
Will my child need to stay in the hospital overnight? Is there anything they should bring?

Some patients in the EmPATH Unit will require an overnight stay depending on their needs. If you expect your child may stay, bring only essential comfort items such as a change of clothes, a favorite book, or a comfort object. Devices and valuables should be left at home.