ValueOptions® Identifies Seasonal Trends in Psychiatric Hospitalization of Children and Adolescents
Managed Care Company Works with Clients and Partners to Educate Members About Increased Risk of Behavioral Health Disorders Among School Children
Norfolk, Virginia - October 31, 2006
Children and adolescents with psychiatric or substance abuse issues are more likely hospitalized during peak months in the school year. This was the finding of a recent ValueOptions study, which included both Medicaid-eligible children as well as children covered under employer-sponsored benefit plans. The study analyzed 28,000 specific episodes of treatment where psychiatric hospitalization occurred for over 5,000 children in the 17 and under age group.
The study is part of a company-wide public outreach effort between ValueOptions, its clients and partners. The goal is to raise awareness among parents, teachers and caregivers about the need to identify signals of mental health distress among children and teens. To help with this campaign, ValueOptions has posted educational content on its corporate Web site at www.valueoptions.com.
While it is no secret that most hospitalizations occur during the school months of September through May, the data from this extensive study narrowed the peak months of psychiatric hospitalization to October, November, March, and May.
Reasons for the spikes in these months certainly vary on a case-by-case basis. However, because these months are typically times of more intense academic evaluation in the school year, added pressure regarding performance most certainly plays a prominent role in establishing these trends.
"With these findings, it is clear that these months bring added pressures to children and teens. Once hospitalization occurs, children miss more school which can impact performance further. Also, children and adolescents who are hospitalized must endure stigmatization and sometimes prejudice upon their return to the student population," says Hal Levine, D.O., ValueOptions' Chief Medical Officer.
Levine continues, "It is especially important for everyone who cares for a child or teen to be alert to signs of distress during this time. Psychiatric and substance abuse problems are like any other health problems in that early detection and treatment lead to far better outcomes down the road."
Other statistically significant findings:
- The most frequent diagnoses are anxiety, stress and mood disorders.
- Boys and girls are admitted almost equally.
- Although the average length of stay for boys and girls is about a week, boys are likely to be hospitalized one day longer than girls.
Since the substantial majority of children were admitted for anxiety, stress and mood disorders, it is important for parents, doctors, school staff and other adults to know the signs indicating a child's potential need for mental health or behavioral support. Some general signs of distress may include insomnia, dizziness, eating and sleep disturbances and poor school performance. Additional symptoms and persistent changes noted in a child that cause alarm should be discussed with the child's pediatrician, psychologist, social worker or family therapist.
"If a child's symptoms persist, a consultation with a licensed behavioral health professional is beneficial," explains Dr. Levine. "There are a variety of professionals who diagnose and treat childhood anxiety, stress and mood disorders. These include child and adolescent psychiatrists, child psychologists, child social workers, family therapists and professional counselors."
