children's mental health

An insufficient mental health care system pushes some families to give up custody of their children for care. States look for better solutions.

The Indiana University School of Medicine psychiatry department was awarded $2 million to increase services for children with traumatic stress.

The state’s top health official says new survey data shows Indiana teens are struggling with increased rates of depression and anxiety.

Two years into the pandemic, data shows that the toll on children's mental health has been profound. Children of frontline health care workers had a front row seat to the pandemics scariest moments from day one.

More psychologists and social workers in schools. Early screening. Loan forgiveness for child psychiatrists serving rural areas. Fixing a strained system will take time. But COVID stimulus funds can speed up efforts across the Midwest.

Months long waitlists, out-of-pocket costs and a burgeoning mental health crisis is pushing care out of reach for some families.

Meg Hartz spent four years trying to secure comprehensive mental health care for her son, and she believes he could have avoided in-patient treatment if she would not have faced so many delays and roadblocks.

Hospital ERs are being upended by a surge of children and adolescents in mental distress during COVID. Staff bring in snacks or queue up Netflix to keep them occupied as they seek beds in psychiatric centers. Private insurance can make the task harder.

Across the Midwest, there are not nearly enough psychiatrists, therapists or direct-care staff to treat a rising tide of young people spiraling into crisis. For these families, the strain can seem unbearable. It’s a story echoed across much of the country. This was true even before COVID-19.

The task force discussed a rise in children's mental health cases and pharmacy robberies.