New HPIO brief explores factors contributing to child mental health struggles

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The Health Policy Institute of Ohio has released a new brief titled “Factors Contributing to Child and Youth Mental Health Struggles.” The brief is the second in a series of four planned HPIO publications on child and youth mental health.
 
“Ohio children and youth are experiencing significant mental health challenges, with increases in overall rates of mental health conditions and higher rates compared to the U.S. overall in recent years,” according to the brief.
 
There are a variety of factors that influence a child's mental health. The brief focuses on three important contributing factors:

• Smart phones and social media
• Housing instability and homelessness
• Child protective services and foster care system involvement

The brief describes how each factor influences child and youth mental health, the extent to which it exists in Ohio and what the state is doing to address it. Finally, it presents a variety of policy options that could be implemented to address each topic.
 
HPIO will be hosting a webinar from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 31, to explore key findings from the brief. Speakers will include lead author, Becky Carroll, Director of Policy Research and Analysis at HPIO and Lindsay Green, Behavioral Health and Wellness Coordinator. More speakers are expected to be announced soon.