Brightline Study Shows Behavioral Health Support for Children and Families Leads to Improvements in Caregiver Strain, Including Better Workplace Productivity and Less Absenteeism

Reduction of caregiver strain strongly associated with improvements in children's mental health through Brightline care SAN MATEO, Calif. , Aug. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Brightline , the leading behavioral health solution supporting children, teens, and their families, released new research on the toll of caregiver strain for those caring for children with mental health conditions, including the impact on caregivers' work and productivity.

Brightline's findings, published in JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting , found that virtual family-oriented behavioral healthcare can improve children's mental health and caregiver strain, including reducing missed work and financial stress. Caregiver strain, which includes the mental, physical, emotional, and financial impact of caregiving, creates a $44 billion impact through the loss of more than 650,000 jobs and nearly 800,000 caregivers experiencing absenteeism at work, according to a BlueCross BlueShield report. Mental health conditions among children are on the rise , medical spending for families with children with mental health conditions is increasing, and, notably, adults who care for these children are at risk of caregiver strain that stems from the child's condition.

The study found a strong correlation between the severity of a child's behavioral health issues and caregiver strain, indicating that as a child's symptoms become more severe, the caregiver experiences higher levels of strain, which impacts workplace productivity, absen.