NOVEMBER 11, 2021
LEXINGTON, KY — New Vista continues to encourage parents and guardians to check in with children after a national emergency in child and adolescent mental health was recently declared by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the Children’s Hospital Association.
The stress brought on by the ongoing pandemic is contributing to an increase in mental health concerns, according to the declaration.
“The effects of the pandemic intensified an already escalating crisis,” said Dr. David Hudson, New Vista’s chief medical officer. “Students lost structure, lost the opportunities to use their healthy coping skills, lost access to friends and adult supports and over 2,500 kids in Kentucky lost their primary caregiver to COVID-19,” Hudson said.
“It is our responsibility to recognize the urgency of the situation and respond immediately,” Hudson added. “Kids and teens are amazingly resilient and with the proper supports they can use these challenging times to build strength instead of despair.”
New Vista offers mental health services including therapy and psychiatry to children of all ages. As the community mental health center, these resources are available to anyone, regardless of ability to pay and can be offered via telehealth.
Resources are available for parents and guardians with tips on how to start a conversation with a child about mental health and recognize the signs of a child who may be struggling. Information about therapy and psychiatry services, support for families and crisis services can all be accessed by anyone in the community by calling New Vista’s 24-Hour Helpline at 1.800.928.8000.
AboutNew Vista
New Vista is the nonprofit Community Mental Health Center, with regional offices located in Lexington, serving 25,000 Kentuckians in 17 central Kentucky counties. New Vista provides services in mental health, substance use and intellectual and developmental disabilities. The mission of New Vista is to assist individuals and families in the enhancement of their emotional, mental and physical well-being, particularly those who have limited options for meeting their behavioral health needs. For more information, visit www.newvista.org.
Media Contact: Katie Ghiardi, PR Coordinator, cell 301.742.6959 [email protected]
