UofM’s BRAIN Center Program Extended Through 2026
Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital Continues Hurt2Healing Partnership
October 3, 2024 — The University of Memphis College of Education’s groundbreaking Hurt2Healing™ program will continue at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital through at least January 2026, reinforcing the commitment to enhancing pediatric mental health care in the wake of traumatic injuries.
The H2H program is a part of the BRAIN Center (Building Resilience across Ages through Integrative Neuroscience) at the College of Education (COE). Developed to equip young patients and their caregivers with essential coping tools during critical moments, the H2H program has shown remarkable promise in addressing the growing need for mental health support among children.
“Over the past four years, we have served over 5,000 patients and their caregivers, providing critical mental health services, fostering wellbeing and post-traumatic growth at a time of a patient's greatest need,” said Dr. Eraina Schauss, founder and director of the BRAIN Center. “In addition, our program has trained over 40 mental health practitioners capable of meeting the ever-growing mental health needs in our community."
The BRAIN Center integrates neuroscience and trauma-informed interventions at the bedside, focusing on reducing stress immediately following trauma. This approach not only provides immediate mental health support but also serves as a training ground for mental health professionals, ensuring they are equipped with evidence-based treatment interventions tailored for an integrative hospital setting.
The program has already demonstrated significant benefits, with 94% of patients finding the mental health counseling helpful during their hospital stay. Caregivers echoed this sentiment, with 93% reporting that access to mental health services was beneficial for their child. Additionally, 86.3% of caregivers felt better equipped to cope with their child's injury after receiving support.
“The H2H program is such an asset to our patients and their families,” said Dr. Reagan Williams, Le Bonheur’s medical director of Trauma Services. “Providing support at the time of injury allows families to process the event and support the child throughout their physical and mental recovery. The H2H program gives them the skills to return to normal activities and continue to thrive.”
The H2H program addresses the alarming rise in pediatric mental health needs, tackling issues like Acute Stress Disorder, which affects 64% of trauma patients. By providing training and tools for mental health specialists, the program not only improves individual outcomes but also fosters resilience among caregivers, creating a holistic support system during recovery.
Schauss and the BRAIN Center aspire to take H2H across Tennessee, already receiving commitments from the state’s other pediatric hospitals: Erlanger, Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. With continued backing from Le Bonheur, H2H is poised to make a lasting impact on the landscape of pediatric trauma care, ensuring that every child has access to the mental health resources they need at the most critical times.
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