Primary Care Providers Play Key a Role in Discussing and Addressing Children's Mental Health with Families

CHDI's Eminet Abebe Gurganus and Lisa Honigfeld co-authored an article in the Journal of Pediatric Health Care, examining communication between parents and pediatricians about children's mental health issues. The article, "Parent Perceptions of Pediatric Primary Care Providers’ Mental Health–Related Communication and Practices," was based on an analysis of survey responses from a national sample of 1,763 parents and caregivers. Results showed that parent comfort discussing mental health concerns was less likely when they perceived that providers generally dismissed those concerns. Findings suggested that nonjudgmental, knowledgeable staff, and discussion of child and parent strengths could facilitate both parental comfort and communication between parents and pediatricians about mental health concerns.