Mental Health Care For Depression In Children

Because of the internal nature of mental health as well as the negative stigma attached to those who suffer with mental health issues, the public may not realize how serious the problem really is. Over one in every five children and adolescents suffers from some kind of mental health disorder (Taras & Young). This is an astounding amount of children who affected by these issues. Given the significant effects these disorders can have on people, it is necessary that those with mental health issues receive proper care. However, there are an astounding number of children who are not getting the treatment they need. It is reported that out of all children who suffer from mental health issues, only twenty-one percent of them receive the necessary
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), the risk of developing depression during the course of one’s lifetime is roughly seventeen percent. This is a significant number which shows warrants need for greater mental health care. In 2014, nearly 16 million adults in the United States “...had experienced at least one major depressive episode’ in the past year…”, representing nearly seven percent of adults in America (ADAA). This is an especially important statistic because it is reported that “One-half of all lifetime diagnosable mental health conditions begin by the age of 14.” (Morissette, Melissa, et. al). Better intervention and mental health care for children and adolescents can come to benefit millions of American adults in the future as well. According to Pippa Wysong, a member of the Canadian Science Writers’ Association, one-eighth of all teenagers suffer from clinical depression, impacting roughly two and a half million people under 18 in the United States. Because of the debilitating consequences of depression, a staggering amount of teenagers are negatively affected nationwide. Over 2 million teenagers “...report experiencing depression that impairs their daily function.”
It is reported that over 25 percent of 13 to 18 year olds are affected by some kind of anxiety disorder (National Institute of Mental Health). This means millions of adolescents are negatively impacted by these mental health issues in their daily lives. However, some experts believe that these statistics “...are on the low end of what’s really happening…”, because there are many who do not go to receive care for their anxiety (Schrobsdorff). It is critical that there is an increased availability of school-based mental health programs because it has been estimated that 80 percent of adolescents who have some kind of diagnosable anxiety disorder are not getting treatment (ADAA). This is a breathtaking number of kids who do not receive care, which in turn exposes them to the negative consequences that accompany