"Rising Mental Breakdowns Among Top Reasons for ER Visits in America"
Nearly 140 million Americans visit the emergency department annually, with stomach and abdominal pain being the most common reason, followed by chest pain, shortness of breath, cough, and fever. Mental health crises have entered the top 10 reasons for emergency room visits, with an increasing number of visits attributed to issues such as suicidality, hallucinations, and persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. The rise in emergency department visits reflects an aging population with more urgent care needs and a decline in preventative care, leading to overcrowding, overworked staff, and delayed access to treatment for those in urgent need.