The Prevalence of Mental Health Disorders, Emotional and Behavioral Disorders and Mental Illness in Children
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Depression: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Age 12Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Age 15
Substance Abuse: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Age 14Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Age 15
Substance Dependence: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Age 16Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Age 17
Any Psychiatric Diagnosis: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Age 9Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Age 11
(Source: Preventing Mental, Emotional and Behavioral Disorders Among Young People, 2009. National Research Council and Institute of Medicine, of the National Academies)
Obstacles to Access and Quality in Mental Healthcare
Several federal commissions and workgroups federal task forces have documented the need for improved and expanded mental health services for children and youth.
-It is estimated that less than 1 in 5 of these children receive the appropriate needed treatment Â
-Only 15% of youths who had difficulties had parents that actively talked to a health care provider or school staff about their child?s emotional or behavioral difficulties. Â
There is not adequate financial support for quality services to prevent and treat mental health problems of children and youth. Many child mental health services are not covered by managed care payers. In 2007, 3.1 million youths, (12.5 percent of 12 to 17 year olds) received treatment or counseling for problems with behavior or emotional disturbances in specialty mental health settings (which include inpatient and outpatient care).
Effective Treatment and Prevention Exists
Clear windows of opportunity are available to prevent MEB disorders and related problems before they occur. An intervention before a disorder manifests itself is possible and offers the best opportunity to protect young people. Effective prevention includes strengthening families by targeting problems, strengthening individuals by building resilience and skills, preventing specific disorders by screening individuals at risk, promoting mental health in schools and promoting mental health through health care and community programs. The key to most approaches is to identify risks (biological, psychological and social factors) that may increase a child?s risk of MEB disorders.
Linda Rosenberg is the president and CEO of the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare. TNC specializes in the treatment of mental illnesses and addiction disorders while also promoting public policy for emotional and behavioral disorders in children. Lean more at http://www.thenationalcouncil.org/.
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