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Throughout the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE), children’s mental health has been impacted by major disruptions to their daily lives, including changes in routine, breaks in continuity of care or learning, missing of significant life events, and loss of security or safety. Prior to the PHE, as many as 1 in 6 U.S. children between the ages of 6 and 17 had a treatable mental health disorder.[1] New data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services shows that between 2016 and 2020, the number of children diagnosed with anxiety or depression grew by nearly 30%.[2] Additionally, suicide continues to be the second leading cause of death for young people ages 10-14[3], and rates have been increasing for decades. Unfortunately, utilization of mental and behavioral health services has declined among children 18 and under during the PHE, despite the surge of anxiety and depression in youth.[4], [5]

Expanding access to mental and behavioral health services and suicide prevention programs is key to improving mental health for children and teens across the country. Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) cover essential mental and behavioral health services for children up to age 19 to prevent, diagnose, and treat a broad range of mental health symptoms and disorders. These services may also be available to pregnant individuals enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP and can be conducted in-person or via telehealth.

This webinar, which is being held during Mental Health Awareness Month, will feature new data on the impact of the PHE on youth mental health, strategies for improving access to and use of mental and behavioral health services, resources for suicide prevention, practices to support youth mental health, and Campaign resources available on InsureKidsNow.gov for organizations to use in their outreach.

Webinar speakers:

• Kim Proctor, Technical Director, Data and Systems Group, Center for Medicaid & CHIP Services
• Gillian Ray, Vice President, External Relations, Children’s Hospital Association
• Julie Gorzkowski, Director, Adolescent Health Promotion, American Academy of Pediatrics
• Porter Novelli Public Services, Outreach Contractor, Connecting Kids to Coverage National Campaign