Issue 22
Children Hospitalized for Depression & Bipolar 
10% of childhood hospitalizations include a mental health diagnosis.
 
A mental health condition is the primary diagnosis for nearly 1 in 10 children who are hospitalized, according to a new analysis led by UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital.

Researchers looked at hospital discharges in 2009 for patients aged three to 20 years old to determine the frequency of hospitalizations for primary mental health diagnoses.

They found:
  • Depression accounted for 44% of all pediatric primary mental health admissions, with charges of $1.33 billion
  • Bipolar was the second most common diagnosis (18%) with charges totaling $702 million
" This is the first paper to give a clear picture of the mental health reasons kids are admitted to hospitals nationally," said Naomi Bardach, MD, an assistant professor of pediatrics at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital and lead author. "Mental health hospitalizations have been increasing in kids, up 80 percent in 2010 compared to 1997. 

More than 14 million children and adolescents in the United States have a diagnosable mental health disorder.

"These are costly hospitalizations, and being hospitalized is a heavy burden for families and patients. Prevention and wellness is a huge part of the Affordable Care Act, along with controlling costs by delivering great care," said Bardach.

"This study helps us understand that mental health is a key priority."

Inside EBAC
Afterschool program at East Oakland Pride approaches close of first year as an EBAC program.

"Students have come together to not only participate in active, engaging games, but effective, powerful discussions as well. This sort of support and enthusiasm as a class community is something that was very minimal at the beginning of the school year." - EBAC's Leaders of Tomorrow class instructor

Last summer, EBAC assumed management of Lion's Pride Academy, the afterschool program at OUSD's East Oakland Pride elementary school. East Oakland Pride is located in one of Oakland's most stressed neighborhoods, as evidenced by the 3 full time mental health clinicians EBAC employs on campus to address the impact of trauma on these students. 

The Lion's Pride Academy provides over 100 students with a safe, nurturing, and enriching place to be afterschool where they receive academic support and participate in enrichment activities which are fun and promote better attendance in school.

One particularly popular afterschool activity is Ballet Folkl�rico. This l class allows Latino culture to be highlighted, celebrated and valued as a positive and empowering reason for students to be proud. Students of all racial and ethnic backgrounds participate in Ballet Folkl�ric, and the experience gives children the opportunity to learn about and enjoy one another's culture. In this way, EBAC helps bridge the deep divide that exists between East Oakland's diverse cultural groups.

Enjoy the art and dance of the Lion's Pride Academy students in this short 2 minute video.
 
Around the Nation
Teaching Children to Calm Themselves

"The minute you say to a child: 'I can see you are so angry. Your fists are balled up and your face is scrunched up,' they can relax because they know they're being attuned to."

This New York Times opinion explores an early intervention program in the Midwest similar to EBAC's Therapeutic Nursery School.



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