Mental Health: Our Research


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As Important as Curing Cancer

More children die from the effects of mental health conditions than cancer, yet mental health represents the only area of medicine where clinicians cannot use routine tests to understand what is happening inside the patient. Instead, experts still rely on reported symptoms and observation. Imagine if we were still treating cancer this way.

Philanthropy can fuel change. 

With your help, our researchers are working to identify biomarkers that can distinguish between people with and without mental health conditions. This will help clinicians identify youth at high risk before they are in crisis, so they can provide families with earlier guidance. And it allows them to better track treatments and signs of recovery or recurrence in patients as they heal.

As our experts uncover genetic, environmental and other factors that increase individuals’ risk for more severe mental health conditions, they will advance new treatments. And they will use virtual reality, avatars, app-based approaches and wearable devices to monitor symptoms, deliver new therapies and promote prevention models. 

Help us solve the mental health crisis facing young people

Globally, research into pediatric mental health is underfunded. Let's change that.

2x
more global research funding spent on cancer and infectious diseases than mental health
2x
more mental health research funding goes to adult conditions compared to conditions affecting kids
$6T
in projected reduced global productivity from mental health conditions by 2030
0.4%
of the world’s development assistance for health is directed to mental health

Unlocking the Mysteries of the Brain

From autism and epilepsy to anxiety and depression, Boston Children’s neuroscientists are tackling the most difficult challenges affecting the brain and nervous system. We are paving the way for novel treatments that will make a world of difference in the lives of at-risk children. With your help, we can dramatically improve the lives of millions.

Science-based Care

Our Brain, Mind & Behavior Center brings together care and research to better serve our patients and learn from every child so we can offer even better care to future patients. Here, caregivers and scientists work together in an innovative space that removes barriers to rapid scientific discoveries.

Creating a National Coalition

To find better answers for families—faster—scientists and clinicians must work together, here and across the country. 

Our experts are leading a national coalition of children’s hospitals to share data on patient outcomes in real time. This will empower more than 20 children’s hospitals to rapidly act on the most powerful emerging clinical findings, including the best evidence on how to prevent suicide and better detect the onset of severe symptoms of mental health conditions. 

This coalition will also distribute best practices for innovative treatment of substance misuse, early psychosis and other complex and challenging mental health conditions. 

Together, Let’s Make the Impossible, Possible

Help us discover new cures and treatments for young people with mental health conditions.

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