Too many children across the country are unable to access timely, quality mental healthcare. When they can, too often it is far from home. Our mental healthcare system is not equipped to support children’s needs and government action is crucial to address these challenges. Our team works closely with CHOP’s Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences to be a leading voice advocating for change at the federal, state, and local levels.

We support behavioral health “well care” because we know it is easier to treat a condition before symptoms worsen into a diagnosis.  This care needs to be a covered service, which is often not the case and children with risk factors, but no formal diagnosis, cannot access care. We also support access to outpatient care, including intensive therapy, and to inpatient care for children who need hospitalization.  All of these services are currently undersupplied, and when they are available, insurance often does not adequately cover them.  CHOP is advocating for improvements at the federal and state levels.