Children’s Mental Health Problems are Widespread

Link: Mental Health

Mental health is a key component in a child’s healthy development. Children need to be healthy in order to learn, grow, and lead productive lives. There are effective treatments, services, and supports that can help children and youth with mental health problems and those at risk to thrive and live successfully. Most children and youth in need of mental health services do not receive them.

Mental health problems occur commonly among today’s youth[1] and begin at a young age.[2]

One in five children has a diagnosable mental disorder.[3]

• One in 10 youth has serious mental health problems that are severe enough to impair how they function at home, school, or in the community.[4]
• The onset of major mental illness may occur as early as 7 to 11 years old.[5]
• Factors that predict mental health problems can be identified in the early years.[6]