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May 4, 2026/News Releases

Cleveland Clinic Children’s Unveils Program to Expand Access to Pediatric Mental Health Care

Renovations underway at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital for Rehabilitation with fall opening slated

Cleveland Clinic Children’s is launching a pediatric partial hospitalization program with an anticipated opening this fall at Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation.

The program will be located in a renovated space specifically designed to provide structured, supportive care for children and adolescents experiencing significant behavioral health challenges.

The pediatric partial hospitalization program, which on average will last three weeks, will provide intensive multidisciplinary treatment for youth who need more support than traditional outpatient therapy, but do not require inpatient care. The program will also incorporate individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, psychiatric services, occupational therapy, recreational therapy, music therapy, and canine therapy.

In 2021, leading pediatric groups such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Children’s Hospital Association and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry declared a National State of Emergency in children's mental health. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, rates of depression, anxiety and suicide attempts soared by more than 45% among children and teens. At Cleveland Clinic’s pediatric emergency room, patients younger than 21 seeking mental health care increased by almost 300%.

“What we see is that many families face fragmented care and long waitlists,” said Joe Austerman, D.O., chair of the Department of Pediatric Behavioral Health & Neurosciences at Cleveland Clinic Children’s. “By strengthening the connection between crisis care, intensive outpatient services and long-term outpatient treatment, it’s our hope that this program will help ensure children and families receive the right level of care at the right time.”

In addition to the pediatric partial hospitalization program, other initiatives such as a mobile intensive intervention team, suicide prevention center and a behavioral unit within pediatric emergency departments are in planning phases at Cleveland Clinic Children’s.

“The mental health challenges facing our young people are greater than ever, and if we don’t address them now, the impact will be felt for generations to come,” said Ethan Benore, Ph.D., chair of the Division of Pediatric Behavioral Health at Cleveland Clinic Children’s.

This expansion of services was made possible through investment funding and collaboration with the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health.

About Cleveland Clinic Children’s

Cleveland Clinic Children’s is a part of the Cleveland Clinic health system and offers full medical, surgical and rehabilitative care for infants, children and adolescents. Cleveland Clinic Children’s supports 389 beds in four acute care hospitals and one post-acute specialty hospital. In addition, pediatric services are available at more than 50 outpatient clinic locations across Northeast Ohio. A staff of more than 400 full-time pediatricians and sub-specialists see more than one million pediatric visits each year and provide hospital care for 13,000 children per year. Cleveland Clinic Children’s is a non-profit, multi-specialty academic medical center integrating clinical care, research, and education. Cleveland Clinic Children’s consistently ranks among the “Best Children’s Hospitals” by U.S. News & World Report. Visit us online at www.clevelandclinic.org/childrens and on Facebook at  www.facebook.com/clevelandclinicchildrens.

About Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation, Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. Cleveland Clinic is consistently recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 83,000 employees worldwide are more than 6,600 salaried physicians and researchers, and 21,900 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,725-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 23 hospitals, 300 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio; Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2025, there were 15.9 million outpatient encounters, 343,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 336,000 surgeries and procedures throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at x.com/CleClinicNews. News and resources are available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.

Editor’s Note:Cleveland Clinic News Service is available to provide broadcast-quality interviews and B-roll upon request.

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