Improving Access to Children’s Mental Health Care
Summary
Access to mental health care is important when children have difficulty with emotions or behavior. It can be challenging for some families to get mental health care for their children. Nearly 1 in 5 children have a mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder1, such as anxiety or depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), disruptive behavior disorder, or Tourette syndrome. Children with these disorders benefit from early diagnosis and treatment.
Unfortunately, only about 20% of children with mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders receive care from a specialized mental health care provider2. In addition, many children with other types of developmental and learning disorders may also have difficulty with emotions or behavior and need treatment.
Some families cannot find mental health care because of the lack of providers in their area. Some families may have to travel long distances or be placed on long waiting lists to receive care. High costs, lack of insurance coverage, and the time and effort involved make it harder for parents to get mental health care for their child.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023). Improving Access to Children’s Mental Health Care.