In The News

Connecticut Magazine: Screening Kids for Anxiety and Depression

CHDI's President and CEO, Jeff Vanderploeg, was interviewed for a recent Connecticut Magazine article on screening children for anxiety and depression in pediatric primary care, and the struggle to find care due to the ongoing behavioral health workforce shortage. 
 
In the article, Jeff discusses the challenges facing the behavioral health workforce and outlines priorities for behavioral health system expansion:
The pandemic widened the cracks in the children’s behavioral health system and diminished its capacity to meet families’ needs. Record numbers of youth are experiencing behavioral health concerns, and at the same time, clinicians are leaving the field, citing low wages and burnout...  
 
Connecticut needs service expansion in areas that align with the needs of youth and families.We should prioritize efforts to expand prevention, early intervention, and treatments with the strongest evidence of effectiveness. These strategies have the best chance to improve outcomes and achieve long-term cost savings.   
 
-- Jeff Vanderploeg, President and CEO, CHDI
 
Look for the article in the June issue of Connecticut Magazine or read it online at CT Insider:
 
To review legislative recommendations on addressing the behavioral health workforce shortage so that all kids can get the care they need, click here.