Children's Hospital Colorado

Supporting Pediatric Mental Health Needs

A kid sits on the floor with a doctor, arms raised.

Why pediatric mental health matters

Mental health is a crucial component of a child’s well-being, impacting a child throughout their lifespan and across all domains of development, including school performance and health outcomes. Lack of information and understanding regarding mental health issues can pose serious barriers to mental health promotion in children and families.

Additionally, the stigma associated with seeking mental health services creates an additional barrier to overcome. Parents/caregivers, community residents, and key informants and leaders from community based organizations who participated in the 2015 Community Health Needs Assessment survey, interviews, and focus groups all cited mental health as one of the most critical health needs for Colorado children, regardless of geographic location or income level. Additionally, data sources such as the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Child Health Survey and Healthy Kids Survey reinforce mental health as a priority for Colorado children.

As one effort to help address this need on a state-wide level, Children’s Colorado helped to establish Partners for Children’s Mental Health (PCMH), a new organization focused on improving the youth mental health system in Colorado. Through this partnership, we hope to increase access to children’s mental health services and improve outcomes.

Let's address mental health needs together

Learn what we're doing to help address mental health needs and how you can help in your home and your community.