For the Advancement of Children and Families
HERE ARE THE FACTS
Our children and their families need our help.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
" Many family, community, and healthcare factors are related to children’s mental health." “1 and 6 children between ages of 2-8 years has a mental health, behavioral or developmental disorder.” “Among children living below 100% of the federal poverty level, more than 1 in 5 (22%) had a mental, behavioral disorder, or developmental disorder.” “Age and poverty level affected the likelihood of children receiving treatment for anxiety, depression, or behavior problems.”
"Facts about mental disorders in U.S. children, ADHD, anxiety problems, behavior problems, and depression are the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders in children. Estimates for ever having a diagnosis among children aged 3-17 years,
in 2016-19, are given below.
ADHD 9.8% (approximately 6.0 million)
Anxiety 9.4% (approximately 5.8 million)
Behavior problems 8.9% (approximately 5.5 million)
Depression 4.4% (approximately 2.7 million)"
Reference: CDC Article: "Data and Statistics on Children's Mental Health" (2022).
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We currently have a shortage of professional mental health care workers for our children.
According to Milbank Memorial Fund,
" Among children and adolescents aged 9 to 17 years, as many as one in five may have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder. Yet not a single state in the country has an adequate supply of child psychiatrists, and 43 states are considered to have a severe shortage. "
Reference: Milbank Memorial Fund Article: "Behavioral Health Integration in Pediatric Primary Care: Considerations and Opportunities for Policymakers, Planners and Providers" (2017).
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