Barbara Lipskis announced the Rotarian of the Day, Lauren Kiger.  Lauren has had a long career in fundraising and has been recognized as a Top 40 Under 40 for Healthcare Professionals.  She’s an alumnus of Virginia Tech and Virginia Commonwealth University, sits on multiple boards, and has two lovely daughters.  Lauren introduced her “girl crush”, Stephanie Ostler.  Stephanie’s career in mental health spans nearly three decades, and she has been contributing to the community in Norfolk through her work at CHKD since.

 

Stephanie shared details on the development of children’s mental health services at the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters. As described by Stephanie, across the US children are suffering from an epidemic of mental health issues dating back to around 2007 and the introduction of the first I-phone.  Today children suffer high rates of anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicide, and homicide.  Suicide is now the number two killer of children in the US seven years old and above. The pandemic has accelerated and deepened the mental health crisis facing children.

 

Luckily for the community in Hampton Roads, mental health professionals have been working to improve access to mental health services for young people since at least 2013.  At that time children in crisis were waiting days and weeks for needed care.  The hospital’s one office, and six therapists, were not adequate to meet the growing challenge.  At any one time, as many as 500 children were on the waitlist for help.  The hospital only employed one child psychiatrist.

 

Stephanie and her team studied children’s hospitals in other parts of the country to learn best practices, and to identify pitfalls in developing a true continuum of care for kids in Hampton Roads. A 60-bed acute mental health care inpatient clinic opened at CHKD in 2022 in a seven-story facility.  The hospital treats 60,000 kids annually through its outpatient services, and more than 170 kids are referred each week to its new facility. 

 

More than 60 therapists and two psychiatrists now serve children in need through the program, and psych-safe emergency services assist children in crisis. An additional intensive outpatient clinic now serves children in mental health crises in Virginia Beach.  Programs to educate families, strengthen parenting skills, and support groups help families cope with children’s mental health challenges.

 

While improvements are significant, gaps in care remain. Staffing challenges remain acute. Underlying drivers impacting children’s mental health are not going away. Kids face substantial challenges managing stress or developing effective interpersonal skills. Sibling support programs are lacking.

 

Stephanie ended her discussion with a reminder that “mental health IS health,” and encouraged members to take a virtual tour of the new facility at CHKD on YouTube, available here: CHKD Mental Health Hospital Virtual Tour - Bing video.

 

We gathered at the Norfolk Yacht & Country Club for the weekly meeting.

 

 

 

Sign up for an evening Rotary social at Harbor's Edge on January 26. This event is for Rotarians, spouses, and significant others. Email Karen Grinnan to RSVP.

 

Jeff Ryder has set up an after-work volunteer gig for Rotarians on Feb. 9 at the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia & Eastern Shore.

 

President Laurie Harrison announced that invoices have been sent via email and that prompt payment of dues is appreciated.  President Harrison also noted that February is Membership Month.  Members should suggest guests by filling out the forms on the tables, and they will be contacted to join a meeting in February. The Rotarian with the most non-family guests wins two tickets to Suds and Buds.

 

Note: Suds and Buds will be held on 18 May from 5:30-8:30. Sponsors are needed! Contact Chris Bugg or Tom Koller for more information, or to pass along sponsor leads.