Heather Kreth

March 11, 2026

Poll: Tennessee parents are worried about the future for their kids; 1 in 3 say their child has been diagnosed with a mental health condition

Teen mental health, social media, bullying, screen time and school quality top list of parental concerns

By Jake Lowary
March 2, 2026

Novel behavioral, mental health care model for pediatrics improves care, gets national recognition 

The changes resulted in significant benefits, including a reduction in behavioral health boarding admissions by 78% and shortened length of stay by more than 50% .

By Jessica Pasley
September 25, 2025

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt offer tips for parents to spot warning signs amid rising suicide rate concerns 

There has been a growing mental health crisis among children and adolescents in Tennessee, where the suicide death rate among youth (ages 5-17) is 13.6% higher than the national average.

By Christina Echegaray
February 27, 2024

Lack of Insurance among Tennessee children remains low, while mental health concerns persist

The latest analysis of the 2024 Tennessee Child Health Poll has found that the proportion of uninsured kids in Tennessee held steady from the 2023 poll, and the rates of mental health diagnoses and associated concerns from Tennessee parents remain high.

By VUMC News and Communications
Curled up in a box
October 16, 2023

Initiative seeks to aid youth at risk for suicide

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt has joined a national initiative to better identify and care for youth at risk for suicide.

By Jessica Pasley
May 24, 2023

Child Health Poll: more than 1 in 4 Tennessee parents worried their kids have undiagnosed depression, anxiety

The latest analysis of the 2023 Tennessee Child Health Poll, released during National Mental Health Awareness Month, has found that roughly 29% of Tennessee parents are concerned their child has undiagnosed anxiety or depression.

By Jake Lowary