News

September 16, 2019

Postpartum Depression Symposium

Are you interested in gaining insight on the detection and diagnosis of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and on new and existing treatment options? Join Washington County Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (BHDS) on October 30 for their free Postpartum Depression Symposium!

About

Guest speakers will include experts in the field as well as a video featuring local mothers who have been impacted by perinatal depression, anxiety, or other mood disorders. Resource tables will also be available. Lunch and snacks included.

    • Rebecca J. Weinberg, PsyD
      Clinical Psychologist, Allegheny Health Network
    • Dr. Priya Gopalan, MD
      University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine / UPMC Magee-Women’s Hospital
    • Robert Gallen, PhD, IMH-E®
      Associate Professor of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh
    • Stephanie D. Wier, LPC, NCC, BSL
      Mental Health Therapist, Sprout Center for Emotional Growth and Development, LLC

Co-Sponsors

Registration

To register, visit the symposium Eventbrite page!

Learn More

For questions, contact Washington County BHDS at 724.228.6832.

News

May 16, 2019

Foster Care Awareness and National Mental Health Month

Did you know that May is Foster Care Awareness Month and National Mental Health Month? In recognition of these important subjects, Every Child Inc. has highlighted information and statistics for individuals to consider as we work to better support Pennsylvania’s children, families, caregivers, and community members.

 


 

Foster Care Facts

    • Approximately 13,000 – 15,000 PA children are currently in foster care and part of the child welfare system.
    • Between 400,000 – 500,000 children in the U.S. are in foster care each year.
    • In 2013, more than 8,000 youth 13 and older lived in the foster care system in PA.
    • One in four PA youth who “age out” of the system experience homelessness and/or struggle with mental health challenges such as depression, substance abuse, and anxiety disorders, with nearly 1 in 4 youth having been arrested since leaving care.
    • Young PA women in foster care are two and a half times more likely to become pregnant by 19 than young women were not in foster care.

Mental Health Facts

    • ADHD, behavior problems, anxiety, and depression are the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders in children.
    • Treatment rates vary among different mental disorders:
        • Nearly 8 in 10 children (78.1%) aged 3-17 years with depression received treatment.
        • 6 in 10 children (59.3%) aged 3-17 years with anxiety received treatment.
        • More than 5 in 10 children (53.5%) aged 3-17 years with behavior disorders received treatment.
    • Mental, behavioral, and developmental disorders begin in early childhood:
        • 1 in 6 U.S. children aged 2–8 years (17.4%) had a diagnosed mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder.