For 20 years, Clara’s House, a behavioral health program based in St. Cloud, has been a place of respite for children ages 5-18 who struggle with mental health concerns. In recent years, the CentraCare-run facility, a partial-hospitalization program — with intensive, day-long therapy combined with school instruction to keep young participants on track academically — has been fielding an increasing number of requests from parents and care providers searching for mental health care for toddlers and preschool-age children.
Barbara Skodje-Mack, CentraCare director of child and adolescent behavioral health, chalked some of this increase up to a growing cultural awareness and treatment of mental illness in even the very youngest children. “We have integrated behavioral health therapists in our primary care settings now,” she said.
When a parent brings their child to the pediatrician for a routine visit, Skodje-Mack explained, young patients are regularly screened for mental health concerns. This approach is uncovering mental health issues in young children, she added: “We are seeing greater demand for early-intervention services, which is great. Just like any other medical condition, the sooner we can spot a mental health issue and provide therapy, the better the outcome for the parent and the child.”…