Title: Child Mental Health Crisis: Lack of Services Places Young Lives at Risk
Subtitle: Shortage of mental health professionals leaves children with limited support
Date: November 15, 2023
The recent admission of a 14-year-old girl with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to an outpatient program highlights the alarming state of child mental health services in the United States. Despite being referred six months earlier, the teenager was unable to receive the necessary treatment due to overcapacity at multiple hospitals. Tragically, during the wait, she attempted suicide – a harrowing reminder of the urgent need for improved mental health services for young people.
According to a survey conducted in 2021, children’s hospitals across the nation admit an average of four teenagers per day to inpatient programs. Disturbingly, many more children requiring help are left waiting, as there are simply not enough psychiatric beds or services available. Consequently, these vulnerable individuals often find themselves languishing in hospital emergency departments, an unsuitable environment for those grappling with severe mental health issues and suicidal thoughts. The alternative of waiting at home is equally detrimental, as families frequently struggle to cope with a distraught or potentially violent child.
Dr. Julie Miller, a professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at the University of Colorado, emphasizes that youth stress and trauma have escalated over the past three decades. Drawing upon data from 2007 to 2021, suicide rates among young people aged 10 to 24 surged by 62%, while homicide rates rose by 60% from 2014 to 2021. The severity of these statistics led healthcare professionals to declare a national emergency in child mental health in October 2021. Sadly, the crisis has only worsened since then, with a profound lack of mental health professionals available to meet the ever-growing demand.
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry reported in May 2023 that there is a drastic shortage of child and adolescent psychiatrists throughout the country. Astonishingly, for every 100,000 children, there are only 14 specialists equipped to treat mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders. Yet, one in five children falls under this category annually. Urgent action is required to address this deficiency, which is further compounded by a significant shortage of other essential mental health practitioners, such as child therapists.
Studies reveal that young people in the U.S. are increasingly stressed and traumatized. The pressure of navigating social media and its associated pitfalls, including cyberbullying and negative body image content, takes a severe toll on their mental well-being. Offline factors, such as living with substance-abusing caregivers, exposure to violence, and neglect, further contribute to this distressing reality. Each of these issues alone can be overwhelming for an adolescent attempting to make sense of the world.
Critically, the U.S. healthcare system offers meager support to these children and their families, perpetuating a detrimental pattern. From the moment of birth, prospective parents receive inadequate parenting classes, and maternal care visits and paid parental leave are often out of reach for many families. Furthermore, mental health treatment remains unaffordable for those grappling with financial difficulties, as numerous providers do not accept insurance due to low reimbursement rates. The consequent burden of out-of-pocket payments, coupled with the lengthy timeframes required for effective treatment, exacerbate an already dire situation.
Addressing the complex needs of child mental health necessitates long-term, collaborative relationships between therapists, patients, families, schools, and various entities involved in a child’s life. However, this multilayered approach poses significant challenges for service providers. Despite their dedication, many departments, such as psychiatry, operate at a financial loss. Their ability to provide care is largely dependent on fundraising efforts and donor relationships, limiting treatment options for only a select few.
Finding a solution requires earlier interventions and improved support networks. Schools should offer additional activities that cultivate resilience and equip young people with essential coping skills. Primary care doctors lacking sufficient training in mental health should have access to telephone hotline programs that facilitate free consultations with mental health professionals. Currently, only 19 states provide such services. However, the recent launch of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in July 2022 offers a glimmer of hope by providing 24/7 support.
Parents and guardians must prioritize seeking mental health providers promptly if their child requires treatment. Initiating conversations with primary doctors and school counselors can help identify suitable resources. Additionally, parents should proactively contact providers to ensure their child remains on waiting lists and is not forgotten, although navigating the system can be disheartening and challenging.
In the absence of a comprehensive support system, the responsibility falls heavily on parents to advocate for their at-risk children. The current child mental health crisis demands urgent attention and a collective effort to safeguard the well-being of future generations.