A New Approach to Whole-Family Care
Today, mental illness affects one in four people in the U.S. and is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Sadly, children are among those who suffer the most. On average, children who begin to experience mental health issues do not receive care until seven years after symptoms emerge – and their treatment rarely addresses the health of the whole family. St. Louis Children’s believes that we can, and must, do better.
Together with Washington University, we are creating a better model for behavioral healthcare: one that transforms the way we think about and promote mental health support for children and families.
Current State
The newly established Hermann Center for Child and Family Development combines years of research and clinical studies together into one revolutionary program that starts with the family unit.
While the majority of studies in behavioral health are limited to short-term outcomes, this program is designed to follow children over the course of a decade. The discoveries we make have the potential to change everything – from how parents interact with their new babies, to how we identify and address risk factors and genetic predispositions.
The path forward
Your donations will support the continuation of this pioneering model and expand access to mental health services for children and families throughout the St. Louis region.
| Herman Center for child and family development | |
|---|---|
| Support Early Childhood Interventions | $6.8 million |
| Establish an Endowment | $4.2 million |
| Endow Director & Associate Director Positions | $4 million |
| Support Outpatient Care | $3 million |
| Expand Program implementation | $2 million |
| TOTAL | $20 million |