BROWN DISCUSSES MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES FACING CHILDREN, INCREASED DEMAND ON MAHONING VALLEY HOSPITALS

Press Release

Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) hosted a roundtable at Akron Children's Mahoning Valley Hospital, with health care professionals, a parent and a teen, to discuss the increasing number of mental health issues affecting young Ohioans.

"Everyone knows the toll this pandemic is taking on the mental health of our children. The isolation, the fear, the disruption to kids' routines, and in too many cases, the death of a caregiver or a loved one -- it all builds up," said Brown. "I'm working with my colleagues on the Senate Finance Committee to hold hearings focused on mental health and develop bipartisan legislation to address the gaps and challenges in getting our children mental health services. Conversations like the one I had today at Akron Children's help to inform that work."

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.

"We welcome the opportunity to have Sen. Sherrod Brown visit our Mahoning Valley campus and meet with a patient family and the leadership of our pediatric behavioral health program," said Chris Gessner, president and CEO of Akron Children's Hospital. "We need to do nothing more than read the day's headlines to see that our children and teens are suffering and our country needs to invest more in pediatric mental health care. We look forward to showing Sen. Brown the first of our expanded regional behavioral health centers and having a conversation about how we can work together to help young people with anxiety, depression and other concerns, making pediatric mental health care convenient and accessible for all families."

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