Children's Hospital Colorado to Address President Biden's State of the Union Speech Identifying the Urgent Need for Youth Mental Health Policies

AURORA, Colo., March 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Children's Hospital Colorado experts will be available to answer reporter questions in response to President Joe Biden's comments about youth mental health in the State of the Union. On Tuesday, the White House released a national strategy to improve the mental health system across the country. Children's Hospital Colorado applauds the Biden Administration for elevating this issue during the State of the Union and identifying policies that can have an immediate and demonstrable impact on children, youth and families.

During the State of the Union, President Biden remarked that children have had their lives and education "turned upside down." Although tremendous problems persist across the youth mental health system, policy and funding solutions exist. Children's Hospital Colorado calls on the Colorado congressional delegation and the U.S. Congress to move promptly and advance youth mental health legislation.

Ron-Li Liaw, MD, Mental Health-In-Chief at Children's Hospital Colorado states, "We simply can't keep up with the unprecedented need, and a new level of support is required. We are experiencing a literal deluge of kids engaging in serious self-harm and attempting to take their own lives on a daily basis. President Biden's plan could be just the help we need to turn the tide on this crisis."

Heidi Baskfield, JD, Vice President of Population Health and Advocacy at Children's Hospital Colorado states, "The Biden plan is historic and demanding of praise. The national strategy requires thoughtful design and thorough implementation to avoid becoming a symbolic policy gesture."

In response to the skyrocketing demand for youth mental health services between 2019 and 2021, Children's Hospital Colorado declared a youth mental health state of emergency in May 2021 and six months later, released "Emergency Response: The Children and Youth Mental Health Policy Playbook" with federal, state and local mental health policy recommendations. In 2021, Children's Hospital Colorado had more than 6,500 emergency department behavioral health visits of kids in crisis across its pediatric system, and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

If you would like to interview Dr. Liaw or Ms. Baskfield, please contact Elizabeth Whitehead at [email protected] or 720-777-6388.

Additional Resources:

• Supporting Kids' Mental Health: From Coronavirus Anxiety to Languishing (www.childrenscolorado.org/CovidMentalHealth)
• Pandemic Teen Mental Health
• Why You Should Talk to Kids About Suicide
• Short Video (2 min): Breaking the Stigma

ABOUT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL COLORADO
Children's Hospital Colorado is one of the nation's leading and most expansive nonprofit pediatric healthcare systems with a mission to improve the health of children through patient care, education, research and advocacy. Founded in 1908 and recognized as a top 10 children's hospital by U.S. News & World Report, Children's Colorado has established itself as a pioneer in the discovery of innovative and groundbreaking treatments that are shaping the future of pediatric healthcare worldwide. Children's Colorado offers a full spectrum of family-centered care at its urgent, emergency and specialty care locations throughout Colorado, including an academic medical center on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, hospitals in Colorado Springs, Highlands Ranch and Broomfield, and outreach clinics across the region. For more information, visit www.childrenscolorado.org or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.  

Children's Hospital Colorado complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. 
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Media Contacts: 
Elizabeth Whitehead, Children's Hospital Colorado  
[email protected]; 720-777-6388

SOURCE Children's Hospital Colorado