Developing New Approaches to Mental Health Care Services for Children with Critical or Chronic Medical Illness

Children with critical or chronic illness, including congenital heart disease (CHD), report high rates of psychological distress. Internationally, there is growing demand for mental health services among families of children with CHD. The lifetime prevalence of anxiety and depression among individuals with CHD is 50 percent, and most patients do not receive any mental health treatment. This project will gather data in Australia, Switzerland, and the United States to characterize health professionals’ views and experiences regarding mental health care in pediatrics. It also will identify barriers, facilitators, and areas for improvement of mental health services for children with critical or chronic illness, as well as health professionals’ needs for mental health education, training, and support. The findings will help facilitate the transfer of effective care delivery innovations. Overall, this international project aims to increase health system accountability for mental health care quality, equity, and costs, as well as support the empowerment of patients and families.