children's mental health

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.

When schools closed last spring, children with severe mental illnesses were cut off from the services they'd come to rely on. Many have since spiraled into emergency rooms and even police custody.

At Riley Hospital for Children there's been a jump in emergency room visits related to mental health and suicide. From March to December, these visits…

Teaching is already challenging enough without a pandemic shaking up how the classroom operates. As schools reopen, many districts are focused on keeping…

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on children’s mental health across the country. Advocates are trying to address the problem, but resources can be…

Children who are on Medicaid in Indiana and need inpatient mental health services are typically allowed three days in a facility. Health care workers need…

Dr. Darla Hinshaw walks up to the podium in the Indiana Senate chamber. She's there to tell lawmakers about the children she treats as a psychiatrist and…