By Lisa Clough, MS ED., CHES
While a sense of normalcy has emerged on many fronts from the all-encompassing COVID pandemic, for children and their families, the lingering mental health effects are still very real. The good news, though, is that our region’s hospitals have stepped up to meet rising needs with innovation and expertise that are helping children and families continue to adjust, cope and heal from both the lasting mental health impact of COVID, as well as new and existing challenges they may face every day.
According to regional pediatric mental health experts, including the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), we are still in crisis mode with no clear end in sight. While the crisis evolved over the years, the pandemic was an important milestone in that children lost social support, which led to isolation resulting in rising anxiety and mood disorders during that time—and continuing today. Suicide remains the second leading cause of death for ages 18 to 24. According to some experts, the high rates of social isolation had a negative impact on developmental milestones and increased the use of technology-based social and learning interactions. The lack of a play-based childhood also leads to higher rates of anxiety and a lack of socialization, which can be a barrier to learning the everyday skills of communication, success, failure and building relationships.
The continuing struggle of post-pandemic readjustment coupled with the everyday family pressures of academics, work, family obligations, social and peer influences and social media, to name a few, can be overwhelming for any family.
So, what are parents to do, and what can they expect if mental healthcare is needed for their child? While mental health experts prioritize wellness outside of the hospital, including social, educational and family support, hospitals have a unique role in times of mental health crisis. Hospitals are making great investments in providing excellent care, including ambulatory care, individual and group therapy, testing, medication management, partial hospital programs and substance abuse services through a wide variety of expertise, programs and services.
Here are some highlights of the variety of services offered at the region’s leading hospitals (though not all are available at all hospitals) that are providing new and expanded ways to help children and their families create opportunities for success, coping and healing.
Pediatric and adolescent -specific mental health units designed for children and families
First impressions are everything, and it’s no different—and maybe even more important—when a child needs mental healthcare. Regional hospitals such as CHOP have put great care and resources into creating spaces that are warm, inviting and safe for children and their families. This can include everything from comfortable furnishings, lighting and color to sensory spaces specially designed for children to meet their developmental needs, and where they can feel calm and safe. These spaces may also include room for social activities and interactions with peers, and quiet for homework.
Multidisciplinary care teams working with parents and caregivers
Psychiatrists, psychologists, child and family therapists, clinical social workers, mental health nurse practitioners, child life specialists, art therapists, pet therapists, administrative staff and other mental healthcare and pediatric experts comprise these special teams that care for children in mental health crises. Their specialized training in child development provides families with expert care and resources to support their child in the most effective ways. In addition to mental health experts, providers at CHOP stress the importance and expectation of parents and caregivers as critical partners in the care team.
Pediatric emergency departments specific to children’s needs
Many hospitals now have separate, kid-friendly emergency departments specially designed and staffed to accommodate the needs of children. The tailoring of these pediatric emergency departments includes pediatric emergency doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pediatric nurses certified in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Certified Child Life Specialists, specially trained facility therapy dogs, sensory-friendly environments and services and family navigators to assist with connection to community resources. Their role is to stabilize children in mental health crises and determine the best next steps of care. The focus is to help kids feel safe and secure and help families prepare and have access to appropriate resources and care outside of the hospital.
Partnership between psychiatry, primary care and other healthcare teams as appropriate
With the national shortage of mental healthcare professionals—and our region is no exception—there is an evolving partnership between mental health professionals and pediatricians to care for children with mental healthcare needs. This partnership provides the advantage of coordinated care between a child’s primary care physician and their mental healthcare team.
Family navigators
Specially trained professionals—often social workers—can help families prepare for their child’s return home and connect the family and caregivers with vital community-based services and resources for both the child and their family. These services are vital to providing a comprehensive approach to care once the child is home.
Opportunity for social interaction with peers
An important component of inpatient mental healthcare for children is to provide social interaction and activities with peers. The effects of isolation contribute to depression and anxiety. Knowing this and the importance of social connection for children and adolescents, many hospitals have space for supervised social interaction and activities to combat isolation and promote normalcy and healthy connections in their lives.
Testing
A critical component to all hospital children’s mental health programs is to provide testing to get a proper diagnosis. Effective treatment, support and care starts with an accurate diagnosis.
Individual and family counseling
At most hospitals, the child, parents and caregivers can connect through individual and family counseling. This may start in the hospital, and families can continue this care through connections to community resources for long-term support.
Art therapy
Art therapists are specially trained mental healthcare professionals that help children express themselves beyond words or language using creativity. Art therapists are trained in art and psychological theory and work with children of all ages experiencing mental health challenges.
Pet therapy
A number of hospitals’ pediatric emergency rooms, as well as children’s hospitals and children’s mental health units, have therapy dogs that are trained to provide emotional support to children in the hospital. For children and their families who desire a visit from one of these gentle, warm and furry friends, they can expect the dogs’ interactions to promote calming, comfort, diminished feelings of isolation, increased motivation and improved general mood and sense of well-being.
Certified Child Life Specialists
A Certified Child Life Specialist is a healthcare professional who helps children and their families cope with the challenges of illness, injury, disability, trauma or hospitalization. They are an integral part of the healthcare team, as they provide additional support resources to children and families to help them process the often-stressful situation of an illness or injury.
Lisa Clough is a health journalist and Certified Health Communications Specialist.
