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Children’s Hospital Colorado holds panel on youth mental health epidemic in El Paso County

Children’s Hospital Colorado holds panel on youth mental health epidemic in El Paso County

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – September is Suicide Prevention Month, focusing on mental health around the nation. In El Paso County, over the last year… 5.5% of Colorado high school students have attempted suicide. 16 youth suicides were recorded in 2023. Looking at the data, Children’s Hospital Colorado believes this demands a ‘community forum to discuss the topic of suicide’ and to talk about how to start conversations with the youth, on it.

On Tuesday, Sept. 17th, at 4:30 p.m., located at the Ent Center for the Arts… Children’s Hospital Colorado will be holding a free screening of the documentary “My Sister Liv”, which brings light to the youth mental health epidemic through the eyes of one family. They’re hoping this film will show the importance of creating those conversations.

“They were really talking to all of Liv’s friends and family members, and kind of realizing that these teens… knew their friends were struggling and didn’t know how to have these conversations and were afraid to,” PsyD and Panel Participant, Dr. Lauren Eckhart, explained. “So how do we as a community, as a society, get brave enough to ask those tough questions, knowing that asking that question could literally save somebody’s life?”

A panel after the documentary, with community experts on youth mental health, will be occurring. Colorado Springs’ First Lady, Abbey Mobolade, will be moderating and facilitating the discussion.

Children’s Hospital Colorado told 11 News, that El Paso County is not even close to meeting the needs for youth mental health. The hospital took a look at a big strategic plan, with the current state staffing.

“We would only be able to treat 2% of the kids in Colorado,” Dr. Eckhart said. “So again, 2 out of 100 kids is all that Children’s can treat. So, if we add in, kind of, all of the other groups, again, we’re looking at, probably well less than 50% of kids getting the treatment that they need.”

They said this is a significant workplace issue, and that they don’t have enough behavioral health licensed clinicians, psychologists, and psychiatrists. They said a lot of workers have gone to providing telehealth instead of coming in person for the job.

“Folks are not going into the field… A. Because it’s exceptionally challenging emotionally… B. Because you can’t make a living doing it. C. Because pediatrics are incredibly difficult, so it’s essentially a snowballing effect,” Dr. Eckhart explains. “And in states like Colorado, where the needs are really high and the risk factors are really high, this is how we end up again in Colorado… In the top 10, in El Paso, consistently being one of the most impacted counties in the state.”

If you or anyone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or ideations, call the National Suicide Hotline at 9-8-8. You can call or text trained professionals.

Click here for more resources regarding mental health.

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