Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Parenting Teens

Posted by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia on December 1, 2020

[via United Way Common Good newsletter]

PolicyLab report focuses on mental health needs of teen parents

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s PolicyLab has published a new issue brief detailing early findings from a project focused on a unique population of caregivers: parenting teens.

Written by PolicyLab researcher and Stoneleigh Emerging Leader Fellow Kali Hackett, Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Parenting Teens underscores that this population is at greater risk for experiencing perinatal mental health problems—some studies show adolescent moms experience postpartum depression at three to four times the rate of adult mothers .

However, in many ways, our systems of care are not designed to meet parenting teens’ mental health needs.

Through research and interviews with key stakeholders in Philadelphia, the issue brief explores what we know about teen pregnancy and parenting, outlines why teen parents may experience challenges in access to mental health care, and illustrates the pressing need for innovative services, policies and programs that close the gaps in care for parenting teens. The resource also offers concrete recommendations for various stakeholders to improve access and connection to quality mental health services for this population.

Read the full report here.


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