Abstract for: Adapting a System Dynamics Model for a Local Youth Mental Health Crisis Continuum

The U.S. youth mental health crisis system is failing to meet underlying need, evidenced by rising psychiatric emergency department visits, prolonged boarding, and high return rates. Youth crisis systems present structurally distinct challenges from adult systems, yet no published system dynamics (SD) model of the U.S. youth mental health crisis continuum exists. Our team previously developed and presented an SD model of the adult mental health crisis continuum for a Michigan community. This was adapted from the generic Anytown-Mental-Health model built by our team as part of an American Psychiatric Association taskforce. We are modifying this model for the youth crisis system, drawing on stakeholder interviews and youth-specific operational data to inform model structure and calibration. Stakeholder interviews across the youth crisis continuum are complete and represented in an interactive Kumu map. Key structural differences from the adult model have been identified, including foster care placement dynamics, state pressure mechanisms, and the impact of service misalignment. Model structure is under active development; calibration and scenario analyses are not yet complete. We seek feedback from the SD community on our emerging model structure and dynamic hypothesis, particularly regarding challenges of modeling a small acute population at the county level. Ultimately, this work aims to support communities seeking to make more targeted and effective investments in youth mental health crisis care. Claude assisted with condensing abstract text to meet ISDC requirements.