Behavioral & Mental Health News from CHOP
Age Limits Alone Won’t Fix Smartphone Risks, Suggests Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Study
Researchers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in collaboration with other academic centers found that a year after receiving their first smartphone at age 13, teens at 14 who spent significant time on their phones were more likely to experience depression, obesity, and insufficient sleep.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Study Links Smartphone Ownership in Childhood to Increased Risk of Depression and Obesity in Youth
Owning a smartphone in early adolescence is linked to higher risks of depression, obesity, and poor sleep, according to a CHOP study with Berkeley and Columbia.
Shyness in Kids
Worried your child’s shyness will hold them back? A CHOP pediatrician and psychologist offer tips to encourage brave practices – and when to seek additional support.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Researchers Find New Protocol to Help Stabilize Youth Boarding in Emergency Rooms
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) researchers successfully reduced the number of youths needing to be admitted to psychiatric facilities through a stabilization protocol designed to address psychiatric boarding, the practice of maintaining patients with psychiatric emergencies in the Emergency Department (ED) or other temporary settings due to a lack of available inpatient psychiatric beds. The report was published recently in the journal Pediatrics.
Program Eliminates Barriers and Increases Access to Mental Health Treatment by Bringing Services into Schools
Providing mental health services in schools can help students deal with trauma and is a giant step toward providing the right care in the right place at the right time.
Breaking the Deadly Link Between Suicide Ideation and Accessible Guns
Youth suicidality can be fleeting, but not if a loaded firearm is easily accessible in the home. Counseling families about safe gun storage can save lives.
New CHOP Research Links Genetics, Environment and Health Disparities to Increased Stress and Mental Health Challenges During Adolescence
Study is the first to validate allostatic load as measurable in teens.
CHOP Study Finds Healthcare Providers Play Crucial Role in Guiding Autistic Adolescents and Their Families into Adulthood
The study identified obstacles like limited time during clinical visits, a lack of comprehensive resources, and insufficient notice from caregivers to prepare for discussions.
Youths with Mood Disorders 30 Percent Less Likely to Acquire Driver’s License Than Peers
First large-scale study on licensure and driving outcomes among teens and young adults with mood disorders also finds overall crash rates slightly higher for those newly licensed.
CHOP Researchers Find Pre-Existing Mental Health Diagnoses May Prolong Time to Recovery from Concussion
Pre-existing mental health diagnoses associated with longer recovery times and greater emotional burden after concussion, affecting boys with prolonged recovery at a higher rate than girls.