Mental Health

Depression is the New Predictor of Diabetes Control in Teens
Depression is the New Predictor of Diabetes Control in Teens 1024 683 Pam Georgiana

A new study reveals that depressive symptoms, not diabetes-specific stress, forecast long-term glycemic outcomes in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Managing type 1 diabetes is challenging at any age, but for adolescents, the burden can be especially overwhelming. Previous cross-sectional studies have shown a link between diabetes-specific emotional distress, or the frustration and stress related…

Evaluating the Mental Health Impact of a Promising New Treatment for Cystic Fibrosis
Evaluating the Mental Health Impact of a Promising New Treatment for Cystic Fibrosis 706 470 Pam Georgiana

Insights from Nationwide Children’s study on how Trikafta affects children with cystic fibrosis. In response to the promising clinical benefits of elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (Trikafta) in adults with cystic fibrosis, a team in Nationwide Children’s Hospital Cystic Fibrosis Clinic recently investigated the effects of the drug in pediatric patients. Kimberly Pasley, PsyD, mental health coordinator in the…

Filling the Pipeline for Behavioral Health Professionals
Filling the Pipeline for Behavioral Health Professionals 150 150 Abbie Miller and Shannon Caldwell

Brittany Schaffner, IMFT-S, LPCC-S, shares how a new college course and professional resources are helping more students meet the need for behavioral health care in pediatrics. Tell us about your role at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. I’m a behavioral health clinical training supervisor here at Nationwide Children’s. I facilitate training programs for a wide range of…

Black Youth Experience Disparities in Care for First-Episode Psychosis in Ohio
Black Youth Experience Disparities in Care for First-Episode Psychosis in Ohio 1024 683 Jessica Nye, PhD

Black youth enrolled in Medicaid were more likely to experience a first-episode psychosis (FEP) event and be diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder but less likely to receive key early intervention services than White youth.   “It’s been known for a long time, especially in the United States, that Black individuals specifically face racial disparities when…

Empowering Therapists With Better Tools
Empowering Therapists With Better Tools 1024 481 Wendy Margolin

New research director sets out to improve mental and behavioral health care with assessments.  Providing mental or behavioral health care without simple, effective clinical assessment tools is like trying to lose weight without access to a bathroom scale, says Eric Youngstrom, PhD, the new director of the Institute for Mental and Behavioral Health Research at…

Kids With Concussions Need Specialized Assessment and Care
Kids With Concussions Need Specialized Assessment and Care 1024 683 Sean Rose, MD

Learn why cutting-edge care and research specifically for children matters. The 2020 National Health Interview Survey reported that 6.8% of children experience symptoms of a concussion or brain injury in their lifetime. However, only 3.9% had received a diagnosis or treatment of a concussion or brain injury from a health care provider. The Concussion Center…

Ensuring All Children Have Access to Behavioral Health Care
Ensuring All Children Have Access to Behavioral Health Care 531 213 Pam Georgiana

New study reports the results of integrating psychologists into primary care clinics. Cody A. Hostutler, PhD, a psychologist in the Department of Pediatric Psychology and Neuropsychology at Nationwide Children’s, is concerned about the mental health of the children and adolescents visiting primary care centers. “There is a mental health crisis for kids happening right now.…

Implementation Science to Expand Contraception Access for Adolescents Hospitalized with Mental Health Issues
Implementation Science to Expand Contraception Access for Adolescents Hospitalized with Mental Health Issues 1024 575 Pam Georgiana
Black and white image of teen girl posing outside

Research has documented that adolescents with mental health concerns have a higher need for contraceptive counseling and care because they are at a higher risk for unintended pregnancy.[i] [ii] Unintended pregnancies can make mental health symptoms worse, especially depressive symptoms. [iii] Counseling and use of contraceptives are simple evidence-based strategies to reduce unplanned pregnancies. However,…

Featured Researcher — Jeff Bridge, PhD
Featured Researcher — Jeff Bridge, PhD 150 150 Katie Brind'Amour, PhD, MS, CHES

Jeff Bridge, PhD, director of the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research in the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, has been actively working to prevent suicide among at-risk youth since he was 19. Although he started as a volunteer, his career in suicide prevention and research has progressed considerably during his 36…

Evolution of the Youth Crisis Stabilization Unit
Evolution of the Youth Crisis Stabilization Unit 1024 538 Mary Bates, PhD

An alternative to inpatient hospitalization for youth experiencing a mental health crisis and their families sees success at Nationwide Children’s.   The Youth Crisis Stabilization Unit (YCSU) is an inpatient psychiatric setting at Nationwide Children’s for children and adolescents experiencing a mental health crisis. Over the last 12 years, the YCSU has grown from a…

Youth Suicide Rates in the U.S. Increased During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Especially Among Particular Subgroups
Youth Suicide Rates in the U.S. Increased During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Especially Among Particular Subgroups 1024 691 Jessica Nye, PhD
teen boy with back to camera reading a book

In the United States, youth suicides increased during COVID-19, with significantly more suicides than expected among males, non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaskan Native and Black youth.   Suicide is the second leading cause of death for individuals aged 5-24 years in the United States, and a significant public health concern. Data suggest depression, anxiety and social isolation…