An Exploration of Youth Physically Restrained in Mental Health Residential Treatment Centers

•798 youth in mental health residential treatment centers were involved in 13,339 restraint incidents over the course of 3 years.•African-American youth experienced more restraints compared to White youth.•Younger youth experienced more restraints compared to older youth.•Restraints were more likely to occur earlier in the week and in the evening.•Most restraint incidents involved only 1 physical hold, but a sizeable number involved the use of multiple holds.•A majority of youth ever restrained are restrained within their first 5 weeks of treatment.