National Child and Family Hubs Network’s Post

Tomorrow is #DressPurpleDay, a day that raises awareness about the importance of supporting vulnerable children, youth and families. When children don't get the support and resources they need, they're at greater risk of adverse childhood experiences, or "ACEs." Our latest blog, by Sophie Baker, Maura Eswaradas and Christine Sheppard, explains how we don't know enough about ACEs and their impact on health and health equity, and how Wellesley Institute is working to help fill that gap.  https://lnkd.in/g2DF4xGs

We are thrilled to see our new peer-reviewed article published today in the 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 demonstrating the impact of social care referral navigation on the mental health and well-being of young families. Here are some key takeaways: ✅ With support from trusted navigators, parents report more hope and confidence in addressing their children’s needs. Through technology-enabled social care coordination powered by Unite Us, parents report relief from the burden of self-navigating community based resources. ✅ Our model of care can improve access to supportive community services for young families with social needs and increase parental protective factors known to improve short and long-term outcomes for families. ✅  This evaluation of First 1,000 Days Suncoast’s Family Navigation program demonstrated statistically significant improvements in parental social support, an additional four healthy mental health days per month, and significant improvements in perceived stress, among parents receiving navigation support. We’re encouraged by these results and look forward to continuing this important research. We want to extend a special thanks to our First 1,000 Days Suncoast partners Chelsea Arnold, DNP, APRN, FNP-bc and Mary O’Connor, as well as acknowledge the contributions of our Unite Us Research and Evaluation team including Amanda Terry, PhD, MPH, MA, Zackery White, PhD MPH , Gillian Feldmeth, and Halima Ahmadi-Montecalvo, PhD, MPH. 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: https://bit.ly/3B6hI0g #UniteUs, #SarasotaMemorialHealthCare #First 1,000 Days #socialcare

I'm excited to share our latest publication highlighting the impact of the First 1,000 Days Suncoast family navigation program on young parents and families in Southwest Florida. This evaluation highlights the critical role navigators have in building rapport and acting as a trusted source upon whom families can rely when addressing complex needs. Paired with the benefit of technology-enabled care coordination to support seamless connections to community resources, this work demonstrates the value of community-based care, accomplished through one system of record. Congratulations to my co-authors Chelsea Arnold, DNP, APRN, FNP-bc, Zackery White, PhD MPH, Mary O'Connor, and Halima Ahmadi-Montecalvo, PhD, MPH 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: https://bit.ly/3B6hI0g #SDOH #SocialCare #CareCoordination #Navigation

The Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition recently commissioned polling with 2,000 respondents to gather voters views on children’s mental health ahead of the upcoming #generalelection. What were some of their key findings? 👉 59% of respondents believe that political leaders have not done enough to support children and young people’s mental health over the last decade. 👉 Only 23% of respondents are very or somewhat confident that political parties will prioritise issues facing children and young people in the general election. 👉 Improving #mentalhealth was the most significant issue to be addressed for children and teenagers according to respondents aged 18-24. 👉 The top three priorities all respondents want addressing in the general election are: ensuring children get a good education, protecting children from online harm and child poverty (for children under 12 years) and protecting children from crime and anti-social behaviour for teenagers. There needs to be real and substantial change for babies, children and young people's mental health in this general election for the tide to turn. Alongside the coalition we are committed to calling for all political parties to: ☑️ Commit at least an additional £1.7bn per year for Integrated Care Systems to deliver a comprehensive mental health pathway for all babies, children and young people aged 0-25. ☑️ Embed whole educational approaches to mental health and wellbeing across all education settings. ☑️ Increase the provision of early intervention support in the community through the national roll-out of early support hubs in every local area. ☑️ Bring forward reform of the Mental Health Act 1983, to ensure that children and young people’s rights are protected and promoted, and that they receive high quality and compassionate care. Read more about the findings by clicking on the link in this post.

PeakCare welcomes Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announcement to restrict social media sign-ups for children under 16, citing the urgent need to address the impact of online platforms on young people's mental health. We acknowledge the great advocacy of our members including Act for Kids in their efforts to keep kids safe online. We agree with Act for Kids that there needs to be greater emphasis on the social media giants and their own provisions to protect all children from online harm regardless of their age. Young people face increasing mental health disorders, exacerbated by social media. Queensland Health position paper noted a three-fold increase in hospitalisations for self-harm among girls aged up to 14 years, rising from 19.1 per 100,000 in 2008-09 to 70.5 per 100,000 in 2020-21 We strongly urge parents and carers to empower children with the knowledge to keep safe online. Act for Kids' own research found 55% of parents allow children unsupervised access online. PeakCare remains committed to advocating for policies and initiatives that protect children and young people and promotes a safer online environment for all. PeakCare Queensland Act for Kids Anthony Albanese David Crisafulli MP Tim Nicholls MP Amanda Camm Tom Allsop Katrina Lines

“Hospital staff suggested ‘surrendering’ a child. Another was taken by nurses to CAS in a taxi. What happens when the system can’t cope”… 🌟 **Urgent Call for Change in Ontario's Mental Health Services for Children** 🌟 As the mother of a 11 year-old autistic daughter, I cannot remain silent about a serious and growing issue in our healthcare system. This heartbreaking experience is not isolated; it reflects a troubling trend across Ontario. Children with complex health needs—like autism, ADHD, and mental health challenges—are being discharged from hospitals into the care of children's aid services (CAS) without adequate support, often due to a lack of resources in our health system. 🔍 Key Concerns: - Children with serious mental health needs are being mischaracterized and left without the necessary care. - The current system pushes families to consider relinquishing their children to CAS, despite no safety concerns. - Hospital discharges often occur without proper planning or follow-up care. The Patient Ombudsman has documented multiple cases illustrating this alarming pattern, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic change. We must advocate for better support systems that prioritize the health and safety of our children. 👉 **Join the conversation** to raise awareness and push for reforms that ensure vulnerable youth receive the comprehensive care they deserve. The only way wecan create a future where every child has access to the resources they need to thrive and by getting community united and fight by our side! #MentalHealth #ChildWelfare #Advocacy #AutismAwareness #OntarioHealth #SystemicChange #SupportOurYouth https://lnkd.in/edpipeAG

NYS Senator Samra Brouk and NYS Assembly Member Aileen Gunther penned an Op-ed (https://bit.ly/mhwfoe) highlighting the current New York youth mental health crisis and the investments needed to truly support families and children through it. In the Op-ed, these two state leaders point out that "providing quality mental health care to children — particularly those with complex needs — requires close collaboration between parents and psychiatrists, therapists, care coordinators and social workers, insurers, and so many others. The lack of access to adequate mental health care that so many New York families with children face is exacerbated by a shrinking workforce." Currently, there are only 28 child psychiatrists per 100,000 New York children, and in many counties there are none practicing at all. Brouk and Gunther echo solutions laid out in the Campaign for Healthy Minds, Healthy Kids platform, citing the campaign's push that "the administration must invest $195 million in the FY 2025 state budget to address severe challenges that have undercut the healthcare system’s ability to meet the behavioral health needs of children statewide." If these reforms are enacted, New York’s outpatient mental health system could add 1,300 additional practitioners and serve over 26,000 additional children. This Op-ed is elevating a topic that is impacting thousands of New York families and solutions must be prioritized now. If we don’t act now, we risk raising another generation of children whose unmet mental health needs become deeper, more complex, and more difficult to treat as they become adults. Please stand with CCC and the Campaign for Healthy Minds, Healthy Kids in calling for these critical investments in the state budget. Sign our campaign letter and send a clear message to our Governor and Legislature that the time to act is now: https://bit.ly/MHTA23 #MentalHealth #BehavioralHealth #MentalHealthCrisis #MentalHealthMatters #NewYork #NY #YouthMentalHealth #YouthInvestments #NYYouth #Advocacy #ChildAdvocacy

#DYK There are only 28 child psychiatrists per 100,000 children in New York? In fact, in many counties there are none. As part of The Campaign for Healthy Minds, Healthy Kids (HMHK), CCC is urging New York leaders to invest $195 million in the state budget to address severe reimbursement rate challenges that have caused major loss in the provider workforce across the state. Without a strong workforce, families and children are suffering the consequences of little to no behavioral health care during times of crisis and beyond. Decades of disinvestment in the children's behavioral health continuum have left families with fewer and fewer options for care as the youth mental health crisis worsens. Families are often waiting months, and in some cases years, for critical care their children urgently need. We MUST take steps to maintain and expand the provider workforce to address this issue. Without targeted investment, the workforce will continue to disappear, the capacity to care for children will continue to shrink, and New York’s children will sit on even longer waitlists or go entirely without needed services.  With the proposed $195 million investment we can change this trajectory in the mental and behavioral health workforce. In support of HMHK and youth across the state, use your voice to join us and other advocates in urging our state leaders to invest in the behavioral health supports New York’s children need: https://bit.ly/MHTA23 Even if you have taken action already, we encourage you to send the letter again--we have updated the language since! #BehavioralHealth #MentalHealth #MentalHealthMatters #WorkforceNotWaitlists #HMHK #HealthyMindsHealthyKids #Advocacy #ChildAdvocacy #NewYork #NY #MentalHealthCrisis

Protect Our Children: Ban Social Media for Under-16s As a father of four, an academic, and a medical doctor, I have seen first-hand how social media is harming our children. It steals their joy, innocence, and childhood while exposing them to cyberbullying, addiction, and inappropriate content. Research, including studies from Oxford University, shows that social media use negatively impacts life satisfaction in children as young as 11 years old. Countries like Australia have already taken decisive steps to ban social media access for under-16s. It’s time the UK followed suit. I have launched an official petition to the UK Government to ban social media access for under-16s to protect their mental health, well-being, and development. Social media can wait—childhood cannot. How You Can Help: Sign the Petition: Every signature brings us closer to change. 👉 Sign Here: https://lnkd.in/eetqNX8Q Share the Message: Spread the word with your networks—parents, educators, and organisations concerned about child safety. Together, we can take action to protect the next generation. Children deserve to grow up playing, exploring, and connecting in the real world before navigating the digital one. If this issue resonates with you, please sign and share. Your support makes a difference. #ChildSafety #MentalHealth #ProtectOurChildren #SocialMediaBan #Parenting #Wellbeing

--- 🗣️ "WHO'S SPEAKING UP FOR YOUR CHILD'S MENTAL HEALTH?" 📍Advocacy plays a powerful role in shaping laws that protect children’s mental health. Without strong voices pushing for change, many children are left without the support they need. But how does advocacy make a difference? Here’s how: ✅Raising awareness: Advocacy groups highlight the importance of mental health, bringing attention to issues like access to care, early intervention, and the need for mental health professionals in schools. ✅Pushing for legislation: Advocates work with governments to introduce and pass laws that protect children’s mental health rights. ✅ Holding governments accountable: Once laws are in place, advocacy ensures that governments and organizations stick to their commitments, ensuring every child gets the help they need. 🔑 Legal Alerts: 📍United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Article 24 requires governments to recognize children’s rights to health, including mental health services. 📍U.S. Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) ensures mental health treatment is covered equally with physical health treatment. 📍The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) Article 14 mandates that every child has access to the best attainable mental health services. Why it matters: 📍Imagine a world where every child in crisis can speak to a counselor or mental health professional without barriers. That world is possible through strong mental health laws, but it requires advocacy to make it happen. 🚨 Alert!: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 75% of children with mental health conditions in low-income countries do not receive treatment. Advocacy can change this! As Dr. Miracle Godstime Udoh, I work with NGOs, governments, and healthcare organizations to advance child mental health legislation and ensure every child’s rights are protected. 💬 How can we advocate better for children’s mental health? Let’s discuss ideas and solutions below! 👇 #MentalHealthForKids #AdvocacyMatters #MentalHealthLegislation #PublicHealth #ChildWellbeing #HealthcareForAll #DrMiracleGodstimeUdoh ---