At Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Brown Discusses Mental Health Challenges Facing Children, Increased Demand on Area Hospitals

Press Release

Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) hosted a roundtable at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, with staff members and a southwest Ohio parent of a Children's Hospital patient, to discuss efforts to support the increasing number of Ohio children and teens affected by mental health issues. Children and young adults experienced poor and worsening mental health in the years leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a report by the U.S. Surgeon General, in 2019, 1 in 3 high school students and half of female students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness -- an increase of 40 percent from 2009. COVID-19 only exacerbated these challenges, as millions of families experienced grief, isolation, and disruption, leading to depressive and anxiety symptoms that have doubled among youth during the pandemic.

"Anyone who's had to parent through this pandemic knows how hard it's been on children," said Brown at the roundtable. "We need reforms and investments to support pediatric mental health workers and expand care options -- from acute inpatient services to counseling and support in our schools and communities. Conversations like today's help inform this work -- the best ideas don't come from Washington, they come from you here in Ohio."

Brown was joined at the roundtable by Children's Hospital with staff members and a local parent.

"When your child is fighting for his life and struggling with anxiety and depression you need someone to turn to. My son attempted to commit suicide several times and the only place I had to turn to was Cincinnati Children's Hospital. There were people there with the skills and abilities to work with him--through art programs and counseling. He had to find the will to live on his own but they helped him identify strategies to make him want to live. Those therapists were more than what I could provide as a parent or what our school system, and he was in an excellent school system, or his primary doctor could provide. My child felt safe there and that made all the difference," said Karen Sylvester, mother of a Children's Hospital patient.

"We are pleased to welcome Senator Brown to Cincinnati Children's. Nationally, one in five children and adolescents experience a mental health disorder in a given year. During the Senator's visit, he'll hear directly from caregivers working with our patients and their families. It will take all of us, together, to address this mental health crisis," said Steve Davis, MD, President & CEO of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

Brown has been a leader in fighting to provide support for kids experiencing mental health issues.

Earlier this month, Brown introduced the Medicaid Ensuring Necessary Telehealth is Available Long-term (MENTAL) Health for Kids and Underserved Act. This bipartisan legislation would direct the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to issue guidance to states on options to increase access to behavioral health services and treatment via telehealth for children and underserved Americans.

Last October, Brown introduced his Child Suicide Prevention and Lethal Means Safety Act to bring increased funding and attention to suicide prevention for children and young adults. Brown introduced the legislation following a virtual roundtable discussion on the mental health challenges affecting young Black girls amid an alarming rise in suicide deaths. Brown spoke with mental health experts about a study, published by Dr. Arielle Sheftall through the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research at the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, which found an increase in suicide rates among young Black children, and young Black girls in particular. The group discussed ways to support those in crisis.

In February, during a Senate Finance Committee hearing Brown highlighted the importance of finding ways to better support children's hospitals and their community partners, especially schools, to meet the current mental health needs of students and communities. During the hearing, Brown asked Cincinnati native, Dr. Tami Benton and a panel of expert witnesses to address the actions Congress can take to better support children's hospitals and their work to meet the needs of multi-system youth and how community schools can leverage relationships with local partners to provide school-based behavioral health services.

In January, Brown hosted a virtual roundtable with educators and leaders representing the Ohio Federation of Teachers and the Ohio Education Association to gain insight into the mental health challenges impacting students, school faculty and staff. The roundtable followed Brown's discussion with Dr. Arielle Sheftall.

In February 2021, Brown reintroduced the bicameral Full-Service Community School Expansion Act, a comprehensive bill to assist schools and districts in bringing in wraparound supports -- including medical, mental, and nutrition health services, mentoring and youth development programs, technical assistance and continuing education courses -- to serve students, families, and communities.

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