According to the American Psychological Association (APA), approximately one out of every five children in America has a recognizable mental health disorder. Said mental health problems are associated with negative outcomes that can increase the possibility of engaging in substance abuse, justice involvement, economic struggles, physical health problems, and in some cases attempts against life.
Studies show that many children and adolescents lack access to essential mental health and substance abuse treatments. Less than half of children with mental health issues get proper treatment and services to help them manage their issues. This number is estimated to be only about one out of every five children. In perspective, this means that about 80% of children with mental disorders remain unattended; a situation that is enhanced by an unchanging system that doesn’t provide them with the correct tools to help them address their mental health. The effects of untreated mental health among children and youth don’t only affect the young person and their families, but also society and the nation as a whole. In my opinion, the mental health crisis is an important issue that can’t remain unsolved. Actions against its prevalence must be taken.
This brings me to ask what we as society, caregivers, and educators can do to effectively address the mental health crisis the American nation is facing. For starters, we have to begin by recognizing mental health to be as important as physical health. Stigmas and aversion towards mental health must be thrown out the window as this issue deserves recognition and most importantly action. Secondly, we must accept that children’s development of social, emotional, and behavioral well-being is important to their overall health. Additionally, we have to improve the efforts that promote the early recognition of mental health. In this same line of thought, we must also motivate effective practices to treat and prevent mental health in our youth. The effectiveness with which mental health is handled is a key element to reduce its prevalence in our youth. Lastly, we must use programs that suit each child’s particular needs and situations. As we know, every child’s needs and ideals are different and must be handled as so. Taking these five points into consideration is the first step to effectively manage the mental health crisis our youth is currently facing. It is our job as society to take further steps to effectively handle mental health and to commit to actions that will eventually decrease the prevalence of said disorders.
Link to article: https://www.apa.org/advocacy/health/children