Mental health disorders and mental illnesses affect a greater number of children and juveniles than many people are aware of. These emotional and behavioral disorders can have profound negative effects on the growth and development of children, especially when they go unnoticed and untreated. A greater proportion of children and youth in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems have mental health problems than children and youth in the general population.

-50% of children and youth in the child welfare system have mental health problems. -67% to 70% of youth in the juvenile justice system have a diagnosable mental health disorder.

Prevalence Estimates of Mental, Emotional and Behavioral Disorders In Young People

DISORDER PERCENTAGE OF YOUNG PEOPLE AFFECTED

Learning D/O: 5% Substance use / addiction disorder: 10.3% CD: 3.5% ODD: 2.8% ADHD: 4.5% Anxiety Disorders (various): 8% Unipolar Disorder: 5.2% One or more disorders: 17%

(D/O = Disorder; CD = Conduct Disorder; ODD = Oppositional Defiant Disorder; ADHD = Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Source: Preventing Mental, Emotional and Behavioral Disorders Among Young People, 2009. National Research Council and Institute of Medicine, of the National Academies.)

Early Detection and Intervention are Critical

The onset of major mental illness may occur as early as 7 to 11 years old. -Research supported by the National Institute of Mental Health indicates that half of adults with MEB disorders were first diagnosed by age 14 and three fourths were diagnosed by age 24. -Factors that predict mental health problems can be identified in the early years, with children and youth from low-income households at increased risk for mental health problems.

Age at Onset of First Symptom of Full Psychiatric Disorder, by Age 21

DISORDER AVG. AGE OF FIRST SYMPTOM AVG. AGE OF FIRST DIAGNOSIS

ADHD Age 5 Age 5 ODD Age 5 Age 10 CD Age 6 Age 11 Anxiety Disorders (Various): Age 7 Age 8 Depression Age 12 Age 15 Substance Abuse Age 14 Age 15 Substance Dependence Age 16 Age 17 Any Psychiatric Diagnosis Age 9 Age 11

(Source: Preventing Mental, Emotional and Behavioral Disorders Among Young People, 2009. National Research Council and Institute of Medicine, of the National Academies)

Obstacles to Access and Quality in Mental Healthcare

Several federal commissions and workgroups federal task forces have documented the need for improved and expanded mental health services for children and youth.

-It is estimated that less than 1 in 5 of these children receive the appropriate needed treatment -Only 15% of youths who had difficulties had parents that actively talked to a health care provider or school staff about their child’s emotional or behavioral difficulties.

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