Hundreds of children and teens in Excelsior Springs are receiving mental health support through a psychiatric services program local hospital leaders say barely existed four years ago.Excelsior Springs Hospital CEO Kristin DeHart shared the program’s growth during a recent Substance Abuse Free Environments (SAFE) meeting, a community coalition focused on substance abuse prevention, mental health awareness and youth wellness initiatives in the Excelsior Springs area.DeHart explained the hospital’s behavioral health expansion began after local leaders identified growing mental health needs among children and families during the COVID-19 pandemic.She noted the hospital initially had no dedicated psychiatric services program when discussions first began with the Clay County Children’s Services Fund several years ago.“What we had identified during the phases of COVID is our children were really struggling,” said DeHart.DeHart ...