Mental Health Care: Lighting the Path Forward
Caring for more children in mental health crisis than any time in our history
The statistics are alarming and rising, made worse by the pandemic. Our most vulnerable populations are at greater risk. Local families and primary care providers are turning to Children’s Mercy for hope and answers.
Taking Actions for Kids
Access to the right care can protect a child and give another family more time with their own loved one. Children’s Mercy is taking action – leveraging nationally-recognized pediatric expertise and investment from our community to transform care for children.
Illuminate is an ambitious, five-year plan lighting the path forward for the youth mental health crisis by increasing access to evidence-based treatment with specific focus on equity for our most vulnerable populations.
Facilitate Early Intervention
Integrate mental health care services in the frontline of care – pediatrician offices, schools, home – to prevent youth from reaching a mental health emergency.
- Mental Health Integration in Primary Care
- School-based Programs
- Care Coordination: Intake, Triage & Navigation
- Behavioral Therapy Services
Increase Specialty Services
Increase timely access for all kids through an easy-to-navigate system, with a focus on improved health equity for our most vulnerable populations.
- Depression & Anxiety
- Eating Disorders
- ADHD
- Autism
- Rapid Diagnosis
Invest in Research & Innovation
Advance research to broaden our knowledge and practice of evidence-based care, leading to data-driven treatments and innovations.
- Research & Innovation
- Precision dosing for mental health medication
- Ensuring equity in care
- Parent education
- Safety plan app
- Clinician education
Expand Hospital Care
Care for kids needing urgent mental health care by expanding the types of in-hospital services and beds available.
- Inpatient Psychiatric Campus
- Emergency Mental Health Crisis Center
- Partial Hospital Program
- Integrated Inpatient Care Unit
Our $150 Million Philanthropic Vision
Investment from the community will fully activate Illuminate, ensuring tens of thousands of children have access to best-in-class mental health care. Pediatric mental health services are not reimbursed by insurance like other types of care. Your investment will ensure we can provide the critically important care children need while advocating for better reimbursement rates in the future to achieve long-term sustainability.
Join us!
Your gift today will light the path forward bringing hope and the prospect of brighter tomorrows to children and their families.
Children's Mercy is a 501(c)3 charitable organization.
Light the Path Forward
Elizabeth's story
Every day, dozens of children come to the Emergency Department at Children’s Mercy due to a behavioral health crisis. Children like Elizabeth. Her story shows us why Children's Mercy continues to work towards helping address the mental health needs in the community.