University Honors

Across the country, one in eight visits to the emergency department involves psychiatric or substance use concerns, and the frequency of such visits continues to rise (Zhang et al., 2021). The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) was created to make substance use and mental disorder information, services, and research more accessible (Myers & Wodarski, 2015). SAMHSA collects data through multiple sources and surveys and provides access to public-use data files and documentation to support a better understanding of mental illness and substance use disorders in America (Myers & Wodarski, 2015). Through the collection of data from various sources and surveys, SAMHSA facilitates a comprehensive understanding of mental illness and substance use disorders in America, providing valuable public-use data files and documentation to support informed decision-making and effective interventions (Brown et al., 2018). This study aims to analyze SAMHSA data to determine whether the frequency of psychiatric and substance use-related ED visits varies significantly across different patient demographics, such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and insurance coverage. The methodology includes a comprehensive analysis of SAMHSA’s publicly available datasets, which contain information from surveys and administrative records. The study examined demographic trends in psychiatric and substance use-related ED visits, identifying potential disparities in healthcare utilization. Findings from this research informed healthcare policy and intervention strategies aimed at improving mental health and substance use disorder services, particularly for vulnerable populations. By addressing gaps in care and proposing targeted solutions, this study aims to contribute to a more equitable healthcare system for individuals facing psychiatric and substance use challenges.