Mental Health Issues are Common in Children and Teens
According to the US Surgeon General:
- One in five children will suffer from a diagnosable mental health condition each year.
- One in ten kids will have symptoms that are significant enough to seriously affect their functioning in school, at home, and in the community.
In any given year, only 20% of children with mental illness are identified and receive mental health services. Some reasons can include:
- The stigma often associated with mental illness.
- Lack of knowledge regarding mental health issues.
- Difficulty accessing or paying for services.
Kids who do not receive the care they need are:
- More likely to struggle in school.
- Less likely to graduate from high school.
- Likely to have difficult family and social relationships and are at a higher risk for family and social conflicts.
- At higher risk for delinquency.