Pediatric Mental Health Service Opens As State Pitches Hospital Closure

 By John Voket

In the face of another likely state mental health hospital closure, Danbury Hospital is stepping up its ability to respond to one of the most traditionally underserved populations facing mental health emergencies — children and teens. According to statistics from the state Department of Children and families (DCF), 62 percent of the youth in Connecticut detention centers have undiagnosed mental health issues.

Concurrently, the Judicial Department reported that each day about 30 percent of the youth in Connecticut’s juvenile detention centers are there because there is no mental health residential facility available. And that situation has the potential to get worse, as the state’s network of institutional mental health treatment facilities continues to shrink.

On August 16, Connecticut’s Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) recommended the state close one of its five inpatient treatment facilities for people with severe addiction and psychiatric problems. That move is part of a plan to cut expenses amid an $8.56 billion state budget deficit.

The agency plans to close the 103-bed Cedarcrest Regional Hospital in Newington in about a year. During that time, the agency will work on a plan to redistribute clients throughout the system.

This could contribute to further reducing the number of placement beds available for children and teens. Republican Governor M. Jodi Rell proposed the facility’s closure in her February budget proposal, saying it could save the state $3.6 million a year.

To make matters even worse, DMHAS is also planning to close two state-run detox facilities and then have already overburdened nonprofit agencies provide those services. In 2007, a study by the National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) found that increases in emergency use rates for mental health care by children and youth resulted directly to a lack of access to community-based mental health services and supports.

Estimates of hospital emergency department use by children and youth with mental health problems range from 200,000 to more than 825,000 visits annually. Mental health-related emergency department visits range from two percent to five percent of all pediatric hospital emergency department visits.

And the NCCP reported that over a six-year period in Connecticut, emergency departments witnessed a 110 percent increase in child mental health-related emergencies.

But the key to preventing an escalating crisis in any individual is closely tied to accessing the right care as quickly as possible, according to Charles Herrick, MD, chair of psychiatry at Danbury Hospital, and the behavioral health experts at the hospital’s new Children’s Health and Wellness Center.

He says that the majority of children and adolescents who struggle with behavioral health issues go on to lead healthy and happy lives as adults thanks to the use of safe and effective medications and therapeutic services.

“Most of the cases we see kids who are experiencing a bump in the road and just need some help and support to get back on track. They are not as bad off as their parents perceive,” said Dr Herrick. “At the other end of the spectrum, we can identify more serious problems that need to be addressed more aggressively.”

Pediatric psychiatry is among the many pediatric specialty services available at the Children’s Health and Wellness Center opening this summer. The child-friendly facility brings pediatric subspecialists under one roof, including psychiatry, endocrinology (diabetes), pulmonology (asthma), cardiology, genetics, and gastroenterology.

The facility consolidates Danbury Hospital’s pediatric psychiatry services at one location. Children and adolescents with mental, emotional, and behavior problems have access to two child-adolescent psychiatrists and two licensed social workers.

The staff provides a full range of services, including evaluations, medication management, individual and group therapy, and a family support group.

In addition to treating behavioral health problems, the psychiatric staff will be on hand to assist patients who have chronic medical problems.

“One of the biggest challenges kids with chronic illnesses face is accepting their condition and adhering to the prescribed medication regimen,” said Dr Herrick. “We can help patients change their perceptions about their medical conditions. Our ultimate goal is to assist pediatric subspecialists in supporting children and families to develop comprehensive treatment plans that improve patient outcomes.”

Like adults, children and teens can experience a variety of behavioral health problems, including depression, panic attacks, anxiety, attention deficient hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorders, substance abuse, and more.

Dr Herrick encourages parents to see past the stigma attached to mental health issues and seek professional advice if they suspect their child has a problem.

“Kids and teens are exposed to all kinds of stressful situations these days — academically, socially, even the economy,” noted Dr Herrick. “Withdrawing from life and friends, falling grades, and being less communicative with parents are all signs that a problem may be brewing.”

Fortunately, children and adolescents with behavioral health issues can find relief with timely and appropriate treatment and supports. “Many times, kids who are afraid to share with their parents feel comfortable talking with a professional in a private and confidential setting,” said Dr Herrick.

“By working together,” he added, “families and mental health professionals can help children and adolescents restore their health.”

For more information, go to www.danburyhospital.org.

Associated Press content was used in this report.