Mental Health Care

Anxiety and stress can sometimes appear as disruptive physical symptoms like stomach aches, headaches and changes in sleep or appetite. To avoid classroom disruptions, Missouri experts encourage parents to have conversations about mental health with their child ahead of the new school year.

A Missouri mental health specialist says the holiday season can intensify depression and anxiety in children and teens, which often shows up as irritability rather than sadness. In a Kansas City webinar, she urged families to watch for early signs and connect kids with support.

Health experts say climate change is taking a toll on mental health, and Missouri is no exception. The state has faced 85 federal disaster declarations since 1980, most from severe storms, floods and tornadoes.

As Missouri students return to class, the American Heart Association says healthy teachers are key to student success. But more than 70% of Missouri educators have thought about leaving this year, citing stress, low pay, student behavior and lack of support.

The holiday season is often seen as a time of joy and celebration. But for those mourning the loss of a loved one, it can be a deeply painful reminder of who's missing. So, how do you cope when everyone is celebrating, but you're lamenting?

With the fourth-highest number of firearm deaths in the country, Missouri needs to have a conversation about guns. The Missouri Foundation for Health is "convening" with journalists and other "communicators" on May 1 to discuss the need to focus their coverage of firearm injuries and death more as a health-related issue with health-related solutions – including root causes.

National Depression Screening Day is this Thursday, Oct. 6. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports depression affects one in five Americans every year, and 40% don't seek treatment.

New Missouri Mental Health Director Valerie Huhn, says the department's current biggest focus is the mental health of the state’s workforce due to the pandemic.

A new law will give the Department of Commerce and Insurance greater oversight to ensure mental health care is covered the same as physical conditions.