Children's Mental Health in Connecticut

Many parents in regions of Connecticut are struggling to find sufficient mental healthcare for their children. Psychiatric visits to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford rose to 367 in 2013, as opposed to 55 in 2000. Lack of facilities for children with psychiatric needs often results in extended emergency room waits, or patients being sent home for days until treatment can be provided.

Community programs often have extensive waiting lists which mainly care for children served by the Department of Children and Families or the juvenile-justice system. This further hinders access for children who are not involved in the system. Lack of facilities has resulted in the sole treatment of children whose conditions have completely deteriorated. Those who have not reached this status often have treatment postponed.

Ability to pay also inhibits adequate care for children. Families with commercial insurance have reported far less access to treatment when compared to those with other plans or who can afford to pay out of pocket. Not enough doctors accept Medicaid, further preventing access. The issue is inconsistently spread throughout the state. Many towns have high-quality community and school mental health services available, which effectively collaborate with local police departments. This is not the case in other towns, which have almost no services available, causing families to move in hopes of finding better care elsewhere.

After recognizing the issue, Connecticut is taking steps to improve the children’s mental health care system. The government is seeking out millions to create new facilities and increase staff. Educating people about reducing the stigma associated with mental health and increasing early mental health screening and prevention for children are two more essential steps in ultimately improving the mental health of Connecticut’s children.

References

Hladky G. $7 million needed to help children with psychiatric emergencies. Hartford Courant. November 19, 2014.http://www.courant.com/health/hc-behavioral-problem-kids-action-plan-20141119-story.html. Accessed November 24, 2014.

Kovner J. State tackles children’s mental health issues. Hartford Courant.July 24, 2014. http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-childrens-mental-health-0725-20140724-story.html. Accessed November 24, 2014.

Picture- Listen to community connections-with opportunity…outcomes: access to mental healthcare for our children.http://www.unitedwayinc.org/post/listen-community-connections-opportunity%E2%80%A6outcomes-access-mental-healthcare-our-children. Accessed November 24, 2014.

#MentalHealth #Children